Cheryl Cole asks for 'dignity' for ex Liam Payne in the wake of his death

Cheryl Cole has shared a message asking for respect for her late ex Liam Payne in the wake of his death.

The Girls Aloud singer, 41, who shared a 7-year-old son, Bear, with Payne, detailed the devastating impact of Payne's loss in her message shared Friday.

"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," she began.

She went on, "Liam was not only a pop star and celebrity, he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a dear friend and a father to our 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again."

"What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future," she continued.

She asked for consideration for Bear and Payne's loved ones during this time, writing, "I am begging you to consider what use some of these reports are serving, other than to cause further harm to everyone left behind picking up the pieces."

She added, "Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them."

She ended her message with, "Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last. Thank you, Cheryl."

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Payne died Wednesday, Oct. 16, after falling from the third floor of the Argentinian hotel in which he was staying, state police said. He was 31.

Cole first met Payne when he auditioned for "The X Factor" in 2008 when she was a judge. She went on to date the One Direction singer years later. The duo appeared to confirm their relationship during their first public red carpet appearance together in 2016 before splitting in 2018. The former couple welcomed Bear in March 2017.

Payne recently mentioned his son in a Snapchat video he shared to celebrate his 31st birthday in August. "He's so big now. He's a big boy, and he looks like a mini-me," he said of Bear. "As if we need any more me in the world."

Following Payne's death, friends, collaborators and fans of the late singer took to social media to mourn his loss.

A statement from Payne's family said, "We are heartbroken. Liam will forever live in our hearts and we'll remember him for his kind, funny and brave soul. We are supporting each other the best we can as a family and ask for privacy and space at this awful time."

Read more tributes for the late singer here.