Liam Payne fuels rumours of romance with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini

One Direction star 'confirms' reports of alleged relationship with X Factor judge by posting picture of them together

It's the perfect coming-of-age tale for the Pop Idol generation. Liam Payne, the once baby-faced member of One Direction, is reportedly in a "blooming" relationship with Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, the singer who, five years ago, sat on the X Factor judging panel that catapulted him and his boyband to global stardom.

The romance seems to be the latest instalment of One Direction's "boys to men" saga, kickstarted by Zayn Malik's departure from the group last year to make music videos featuring more tastefully naked flesh than Simon Cowell ever allowed and closely followed by the revelation of Louis Tomlinson's lovechild.