Cheryl has made her first public appearance since enduring a stalking ordeal and the heartbreaking loss of her ex-partner, Liam Payne. This past weekend, the 41-year-old singer was seen dining at Le Petit Chef in London with her mother, Joan, and a friend, marking a significant step towards reclaiming her normalcy.
On March 23, 2025, Cheryl stepped out looking stylish in a long blue wool coat, jeans, and trendy snakeskin boots for a night out at the immersive dining experience, Le Petit Chef. This outing is her first sighting since the turmoil surrounding her stalker, Daniel Bannister, a convicted killer recently jailed for breaching a restraining order placed against him.
Last week, around March 14, Bannister was sentenced to 16 weeks for repeatedly trying to contact Cheryl, leaving her feeling "fearing for her life" due to his obsessive behavior. Bannister, who served time for manslaughter in 2012, was said to have developed a fixation on the Girls Aloud star, escalating his unwanted attention to alarming levels.
Reports indicate that the troubling incidents culminated in December 2024, just weeks after Cheryl attended Liam Payne’s funeral. Bannister arrived at her home in Buckinghamshire on three separate occasions, alarming Cheryl as she grieved the loss of her former partner. According to police statements, Cheryl recognized Bannister when he pressed the intercom at her property, recalling her past encounters with him. "I knew this was Daniel because I have had previous incidents where Daniel has come to my property," she told the police.
As she stepped out with her friend and mum, she looked stylish in a long blue wool coat, jeans, and snakeskin boots.
Cheryl’s fear for her safety was compounded by the fact that she shares a seven-year-old son, Bear, with Liam Payne, who tragically passed away on October 16, 2024, after falling from a third-floor balcony at a hotel in Buenos Aires. His unexpected death, following a period of substance abuse, left Cheryl to navigate a profound grief, compounded by the disruptive presence of Bannister.
The emotional toll was evident when she expressed to the Crown Prosecution Service her feelings of violation due to Bannister’s persistent efforts to contact her. "I want to protect my child from any harm," Cheryl shared, emphasizing her maternal instincts during this distressing time.
While she did not attend the court hearing on March 14, Cheryl provided a victim impact statement beforehand, revealing the panic that would envelop her upon seeing Bannister near her home: "It causes me to panic. He is not allowed to be at my home." Even though Bannister had been under a three-year restraining order after a prior stint in jail, his recent actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for the law, prompting the judge to impose a more stringent indefinite restraining order during his sentencing.
Crown Prosecution Service representative Kathleen O'Callaghan noted the unsettling implications of such unwanted attention, stating, "The unwanted attention of offenders like Daniel Bannister can leave victims feeling alarmed and fearful." This sentiment resonates as observers hope that with Bannister's incarceration, Cheryl might finally experience a sense of relief.
During her time navigating this trauma, Cheryl has appeared to be steadfast with a focus on her career. In March 2023, she increased her personal security while performing in the West End, where her nightly appearances in the play 2.22 Ghost Story were marred by “disgusting” notes left with flowers at the venue. Despite these hurdles, Cheryl is determined to keep her life on track.
In the wake of Liam's death, Cheryl expressed her sorrow poignantly in an Instagram statement, reminding her followers that Liam was not just a celebrity but a loving father to their son, who now faced the harsh reality of never seeing him again. She wrote, "As I try to navigate this earth-shattering event, and work through my own grief at this indescribably painful time, I'd like to kindly remind everyone that we have lost a human being." Such reflections highlight the personal stakes behind her public image.
As she steps out of the shadows following such a turbulent period, Cheryl appears resolute in her mission to overcome personal adversities, focusing on the brighter days ahead while safeguarding her family. For now, she is concentrating on rebuilding her life amidst the aftermath of both loss and fear, striving to create a stable environment for her son.”
