Liam Payne has claimed that the scrutiny over his romance with ex-girlfriend Cheryl ‘put so much pressure’ on their relationship.
The pair – who share two-year-old baby son Bear – confirmed their split in July 2018 although Liam recently claimed they had actually ended their romance earlier in the year, however, he has now suggested that the pair’s paranoia and stress over the portrayal of their romance led to their downfall.
‘I think we kind of rubbed off on each other a little bit in that way. In a bad way, actually,’ he said on Jessie Ware’s Table Manners podcast.
‘And it was neither of our faults because we have both been through so many circumstances but all of that stuff puts so much pressure on a relationship.
‘Say going out for a dinner or whatever it is, whereas now my whole new thing is that I don’t give a s**t, it’s not worth sacrificing my happiness and it’s been far too long of different relationships that that’s come between me [and them].’
The couple made a rare public appearance at February 2018’s Brit Awards red carpet, but announced they were parting ways just five months later.
He added: ‘But that’s a lot of pressure on whoever you’re with, and I mean Cheryl’s had that pressure for life.
‘So for her, if you were going out somewhere, it would take so long to get out of the door because you’re just so worried about what that shot’s going to look like.
‘Whereas now I’m just like “f**k it”, just go out and have some fun.’
Liam has since moved on from his relationship with the X Factor judge with Maya, and they couldn’t appear any happier.
He recently gushed over his other half on Instagram, telling his followers: ‘Sometimes I don’t recognise this happy guy… sure glad you brought him back though.’
During an appearance on KISS Breakfast, he said: ‘[Maya’s] awesome … it’s kind of got to the point with my life, where I’m like, screw this. It’s not worth my happiness. If someone is going to take a picture, someone is going to do something.
‘The difference is with [Maya], she’s so relaxed that it helps me relax in a situation. It’s been quite nice just going out.
‘I’ve managed to explore a lot more of London than I ever have actually my life, which has been quite fun.’
Metro.co.uk has contacted reps for Cheryl for comment.
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