Cheryl and Liam Payne dating

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, 32, and One Direction’s Liam Payne, 22, are secretly dating, according to sensational new claims.

In a front-page report by The Sun’s Dan Wootton, the unlikely duo are said to have indulged in a clandestine romance which goes back to December and will no doubt shock fans.

They claim that the pair got close after the X Factor judge decided to divorce her husband, Jean-Bernard, and they even appear to have matching “his and hers” tattoos.

While the claims are yet to be confirmed by either party it seems that they do share a rose tattoo in common — Cheryl’s on her behind and Liam’s more recent inking on his hand.

A friend of the pair allegedly told the newspaper, “Cheryl and Liam are in a relationship. It was unexpected but they’ve both made each other incredibly happy. They’ve always got on well and share many of the same interests, but there was never anything romantic . Their relationship developed very quickly in December,” the friend added.