A look back at Cheryl's past loves and why Liam Payne is 'The One'

With just months to go before Cheryl and Liam Payne welcome their first child, we take a look back at the singer's big past loves - and how she has found The One in Liam.

The couple stepped out for a charity Christmas concert on Tuesday night, with Cheryl showing off her blossoming bump under a figure-hugging dress.

Neither have confirmed their baby news, but their broad smiles and Cheryl's healthy pregnancy glow seemed to say it all.

Click through our gallery of the mum-to-be's past loves...

Ashley Cole (2004 - May 2010)

Cheryl first met footballer Ashley Cole when they both moved into the same apartment block in North London in 2004. The pair soon began dating and tied the knot in July 2006 after a year-long engagement.

Their marriage was rocked by a string of infidelity allegations, but Cheryl stood by Ashley before ultimately filing for divorce in May 2010. Reflecting on the split in October, Cheryl told InStyle: "To be honest, I coped in public and crumbled in private."

Ashley has since found love with Italian model Sharon Canu, and the pair welcomed their first child earlier this year.

Derek Hough (2010)

Cheryl struck up a close friendship with Dancing with the Stars professional dancer Derek after he starred in her Parachute music video in 2009.

The pair were said to have begun dating the following year after Cheryl split from her husband Ashley Cole, with Derek whisking her away on a romantic holiday to Tanzania in June 2010.

While the pair never confirmed their romance at the time, Derek has since revealed that he did briefly date the former Girls Aloud star, revealing: "We dated for a while. Absolutely we are still friends, we are very close."

Tre Holloway (August 2012 – October 2013)

Cheryl dated US dancer Tre Holloway for around a year after meeting him when she performed her single Promise This on The X Factor in 2010.

The couple went public with their relationship in August 2012 and Cheryl was even said to be considering moving to America to live with him, however ultimately they are said to have struggled to maintain a long-distance relationship.

Speaking about her dancer boyfriend back in November 2012, Cheryl said: "There is a stronger connection and a chemistry you wouldn't have with any other dancer. To have that relationship is rare, to be able to have it with you and share those moments is pretty special actually."

Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini (May 2014 - Jan 2016)

Cheryl left fans stunned in July 2014 when she revealed that she had secretly tied the knot with French restaurateur Jean-Bernard after a whirlwind three-month relationship.

The singer shared her happy news with a photo of her engagement and wedding ring on Instagram, adding the caption: "I usually do not discuss my personal life but to stop the speculation I want to share my happy news… Jean-Bernard and I married on 7/7/14…"

While the couple appeared truly happy together and reportedly bought a £4 million mansion in North London over the summer, their marriage was rocked by split rumours in late 2015 as the couple spent increasingly long periods of time apart.

As well as deleting an Instagram photo of her husband over Christmas, Cheryl further fuelled rumours that she and Jean-Bernard had parted ways with a cryptic message on New Year's Day, writing: "Bye 2015… you've been real!!!!! You have taught me a lot but I am happy to see the back of you!!"

Liam Payne (end 2015 - present)

Just a couple of weeks after her split from Jean-Bernard was announced, Cheryl seemed to confirm that she was dating One Direction's Liam Payne by sharing a series of photos of the pair on Instagram.

But Cheryl, who first met Liam when he auditioned on The X Factor as a teenager, vehemently denied reports that she had cheated on her husband with Liam.

While the pair didn't go public with their romance until February 2016, and didn't make their red carpet debut until May, Cheryl and Liam are believed to have secretly enjoyed a string of dates at the end of 2015 when the singer's marriage was well and truly over (although it hadn't been announced).

The pair are clearly smitten with each other and Liam, 23, is 'The One' for 33-year-old Cheryl.

"They're like two little chipmunks madly in love. Literally they were so cute," said Cheryl's friend Simon Cowell, after he dined with them earlier this year.

The couple have gone from strength to strength and have looked their happiest in recent weeks. Cheryl is ready for a fresh start, having finalised her divorce from Jean-Bernard in October, and preparing to welcome her first baby next year.

Despite the ten-year age gap, Cheryl and Liam have a lot in common. The couple were both young when they started out on their individual pursuits of fame; Cheryl was 19 when she became a member of Girls Aloud after winning Popstars: The Rivals in 2002, while Liam was just 14 when he auditioned on The X Factor for the first time.

They will have mixed in the same circles ever since, particularly since the former Girls Aloud star signed to the same management company as One Direction in 2015.

But away from the spotlight, family has always been important to Cheryl and Liam, who hail from working class backgrounds in Newcastle upon Tyne and Wolverhampton respectively.

They have both made no secret of their desire to have children, with Cheryl previously stating: "I know that's what I was put on this earth to do. To be a mother."

We can't wait to see where this love story goes!