Liam Payne secretly dating Cheryl Fernandez-Versini

It was unexpected but they’ve both made each other incredibly happy.

The source close to Payne tells Us Weekly that the pair are dating – it’s “not serious… but they’re enjoying things”.

“They are both genuine folk who never expected to find global super-stardom and have struggled to cope with numerous more hard aspects of fame”.

The pair first met when Liam was just 14 years old when he auditioned for The X Factor for the first time.

Apparently a friend of Liam’s has said that Cheryl is helping Payne to get over his split from One Direction.

Reports in recent days have suggested the global teen idol is in a relationship with the Geordie singer and X Factor judge, who is going through a divorce from her second husband Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini, 35.

The 32-year-old is well known for her infamous rose tattoos on Amber Portwood bottom, and the 1D singer chose to get a matching one on his hand.

The photo comes amid a flurry of new reports about their alleged relationship, and even pictures of the pair shopping at a supermarket together.

But it seems Liam, who also changed his Instagram status to “happy”, is keen for the world to know he and Cheryl are the very best of friends.

Representatvies for Liam and Cheryl refused to comment.

The insider said: ‘With Liam it’s just completely relaxed.

Quite possibly the weirdest (but also most amazing) rumour we’ve come across in a good while – Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Liam Payne are allegedly dating!

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini attends the BRIT Awards 2016 at The O2 Arena on February 24, 2016 in London, England.

Whatever the truth behind the story, it’s safe to safe that 1D/Cheryl fans around the world have woken up with a massive dose of WTF and make take a little more convincing before they buy a hat…