One Direction's Liam Payne and Cheryl Cole make 'tough decision' to split

It was beautiful pop-culture legend while it lasted, but One Direction’s Liam Payne and girlfriend Cheryl Cole have split.

Payne, 24, and singer Cole, 35, have a 15-month-old son together, named Bear. They went public with their relationship in 2016.

"Cheryl and I are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways. It's been a tough decision for us to make,” Payne tweeted. “We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together."

Cheryl and I are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways. It's been a tough decision for us to make. We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together.

— Liam (@LiamPayne) July 1, 2018

We are sad to announce that we are going our separate ways. It's been a tough decision for us to make. We still have so much love for each other as a family. Bear is our world and we ask that you respect his privacy as we navigate our way through this together.

— Cheryl (@CherylOfficial) July 1, 2018

Just thoughts ?.... when I auditioned for X factor 10 years ago I had a hole in my George Asda shoes, borrowed Armandi jeans from a friend just a 14 year old boy with big dreams ... crazy what ten years can do... thank you ??

— Liam (@LiamPayne) July 1, 2018

One Direction announced it would go on hiatus in November 2015. The “Strip That Down” singer plans to release his solo debut album in September.