Cheryl's first project since Liam Payne's tragic death in emotional TV return

Cheryl is set to return to our screens for the first time in five years, following the tragic death of ex Liam Payne - and she’s teaming up with an old friend.

The Girls Aloudsinger, 41, is due to make a guest appearance on The Voice during the Battle Rounds - four years after the segment was axed. Her return to telly comes after she reunited withBlack Eyed Peasstar Will.i.am, with whom she shares a long-running friendship.

A source revealed: “Will.i.am and Cheryl first worked together 16 years ago and have remained good friends ever since.

“She was the obvious choice to mentor his team when the Battle Rounds return four years after being axed."

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“A lot has happened in Cheryl’s personal life since she was last working on a talent show BBC’s The Greatest Dancer, so she’s taking baby steps to put herself back out there.

“Teaming up with will.i.am as a guest mentor seems the perfect way to kick-start her comeback.”

The move marks Cheryl’s first TV talent show role since 2019 but she’s no stranger to the format. She became a household name on The X Factor, where she judged for five series between 2008 and 2015.

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It was there she first met Liam Payne who was just 14 when he auditioned in 2008. Though he made it to Judges’ Houses, he didn’t go through. Two years later, he returned and was grouped with four other solo artists to form One Direction – launching him into global stardom.

Years later, Cheryl and Liam fell in love and welcomed their son Bear in 2017. But the pop world was left devastated when Liam tragically passed away last year.

Her upcoming appearance on The Voice is said to be bittersweet, as Liam’s last TV stint was a similar mentoring role on Building the Band.

Cheryl has mostly kept out of the limelight in recent years, focusing on motherhood and healing after personal heartbreak. But her return with her long time friend will be a natural way back to her roots.

With her close bond with Will, her pop legacy, and years of talent show experience, Cheryl’s comeback is already shaping up to be an emotional return.

The ITV series is expected to air in early 2026 and bosses hope to convince Cheryl to sign up to the show ­permanently.

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