Godwin ObajeThe debut of Building the Band has brought a wave of emotion for Cheryl as she navigates life without Liam Payne. The new Netflix series, one of Liam’s final professional projects before his untimely death, is now live — and while fans are celebrating the singer’s legacy, Cheryl is facing a deeply personal and painful decision: whether their son Bear should watch his father’s last appearance.
The 10-part music competition series sees hopeful musicians auditioning in soundproof booths before selecting fellow contestants to form bands based purely on vocal talent. Liam features as a guest judge in the final episodes, joining Kelly Rowland of Destiny’s Child. Hosted by AJ McLean and fronted by Nicole Scherzinger — the very figure credited with helping form One Direction — the series is as poignant as it is celebratory.
For Cheryl, however, the release has been far more complex.
“Cheryl has been feeling very conflicted. After a lot of thought, she decided the show was something she should watch, but she’s still really torn about whether Bear should see it,” a source tells heat. “Cheryl is so protective of him, but she also wants Bear to be proud of his dad. She’s trying to focus on the positive aspect of it. She wants to show Bear how talented his dad was, but she doesn’t want to overwhelm him.”
The show begins with a touching tribute to Liam, whose final TV moments now carry a weight far beyond entertainment. “When we came together to film Building The Band, we never imagined we’d soon be saying goodbye to our friend Liam Payne,” says host AJ McLean in the opening. “Liam is a guest judge in later episodes and through his presence, we see his deep love for music and his unwavering commitment to helping others find their voice. It is through that spirit that we dedicate this series to Liam and his family.”
Though the programme was recorded not long before Liam’s tragic death, Cheryl found a flicker of comfort in what she’s seen. “The show was filmed so close to Liam’s passing, but Cheryl can see from the trailer that he still had that spark in his eye and was passionate about what he was doing,” the insider continues. “The whole thing is incredibly bittersweet. When someone dies suddenly, it leaves a huge hole, but with this show, it almost feels like she’s learning something new about Liam.”
The emotional weight of the programme is matched by its significance. “This is something that Liam put his heart and soul into and wanted to be a success,” the source adds. “He was genuinely looking forward to it as the next chapter in his career.”
While Cheryl continues to grieve, her priority remains her son. “The arrival of this show has been hugely triggering for Cheryl, but she is also being pragmatic,” says the insider. “She’s seeing it as a celebration of Liam – she wants Bear to be proud of him.”
Godwin Obaje
