Cheryl is reportedly in final stage talks to join the upcoming season of The Voice UK, marking her return to television after a four-year hiatus. The move comes nearly two years after the death of her former partner, Liam Payne, and is seen by insiders as a significant step in her reclaiming her public life.
Filming for The Voice UK is scheduled to begin next month, and Cheryl's potential involvement has generated considerable interest. Sources indicate that the decision to return to television is largely motivated by her nine-year-old son, Bear. "Bear has never seen her on television, so how lovely would it be for him to see his mummy on TV doing something she used to love," a source told the Daily Mail. "The Voice is fun, it’s pre-recorded and it’s the perfect way for her to dip her toe back into television and give Bear something to really smile about."
Cheryl has largely withdrawn from public life since Payne's death in 2024, focusing on raising Bear at her Buckinghamshire home. Her last television role was on The Greatest Dancer in 2020. While she participated in a Girls Aloud reunion tour in 2024 and performed in the West End production of 2:22 A Ghost Story, her public appearances have been limited.
A New Chapter and Business Ventures
In addition to The Voice UK, Cheryl has also announced a new campaign for the skincare brand Nivea, a deal reportedly worth hundreds of thousands of pounds. This dual return to television and public endorsements suggests a renewed confidence and a desire to re-engage with her career.
Sources close to the singer suggest that she feels strong enough to re-enter the public eye and wants to make her son proud. "It has been a hideous time for him since his father died, it has broken the hearts of Liam’s entire family," a source added, highlighting the difficult period the family has endured.
ITV executives have been eager to secure Cheryl for The Voice UK for years, viewing her as a significant draw for ratings. "They know what a coup getting her back on their screens would be," a source from ITV said. "The nation was obsessed with her when she was on The X Factor, and while that show doesn’t seem to be showing any sign of a rebirth, that doesn’t mean she can’t bring in the ratings on a similar programme."
Past Triumphs and Heartbreaks
Cheryl's career in the public eye began with the girl group Girls Aloud, formed through the reality show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002. She later became a prominent judge on The X Factor, where she first encountered Liam Payne as a contestant. Her personal life has seen significant upheaval, including the end of her marriage to footballer Ashley Cole in 2010 due to infidelity, and a subsequent marriage to Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini that ended in 2014.
Her brief stint on the American version of The X Factor in 2011 ended abruptly, with network executives citing concerns about her accent and on-screen chemistry. Simon Cowell later admitted he believed she lacked confidence at the time, still raw from her divorce. During this period, she formed a close friendship with Will.i.am, who has been a coach on The Voice UK since its inception in 2012 and is expected to be a fellow coach on the upcoming season.
Despite past challenges and a period of aversion to the press, Cheryl's return to television is anticipated to be a carefully managed reentry into the public domain, with her son's well-being remaining her primary focus.