Singer Cheryl Cole is reportedly in final stage talks to join the upcoming season of The Voice UK as a coach, marking a significant return to television after nearly two years away. The move comes two years after the death of Liam Payne, Bear's father.
Sources close to the singer suggest Cole's decision to re-enter the public eye is primarily for 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," one insider stated. "Cheryl's priority has been her son and there have been some very difficult times, not just after Liam's death, but before it too, so work was a no no, as was living in the public domain."
Cole, 43, had largely retreated from public life and media attention following Payne's death in 2024. Payne died after falling from a hotel in Buenos Aires following a period of drug and alcohol abuse. This devastating event deeply affected Cole and Liam's family, with insiders noting it has been a "hideous time" for Bear.
Despite her previous aversion to the spotlight, Cole is also launching a new campaign for skincare range Nivea, announced on Thursday. This dual return to television and commercial work suggests a renewed confidence and a desire to rebuild her public career.
Her potential role on The Voice UK is seen by network executives as a significant coup. "ITV have been trying to get Cheryl for years," a source said. "They know what a coup getting her back on their screens would be." Unlike the high-pressure environment of The X Factor, The Voice is described as a "much less terrifying prospect" for Cole, given its pre-recorded nature.
Cole's personal life has seen significant upheaval. Her marriage to footballer Ashley Cole ended in 2010 amid infidelity claims. Her second marriage to Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini ended in 2014. Her relationship with Liam Payne, which lasted from 2016 to 2018, resulted in the birth of their son, Bear.
Will.i.am, a long-time friend and collaborator who featured on Cole's 2008 song "Heartbreaker," is expected to be a fellow coach on The Voice UK. He has been a consistent presence on the show since its inception in 2012.
Cole's last television appearance was on The Greatest Dancer in 2020. Prior to that, she appeared on The X Factor and its US counterpart. Her brief stint on the American version in 2011 was reportedly cut short due to concerns about her accent and on-screen chemistry, a decision Simon Cowell later attributed to her lacking confidence post-divorce.
While Cole has maintained a relatively private life in her Buckinghamshire home with Bear for the past six years, she did participate in a Girls Aloud reunion tour in 2024 and performed in the West End play "2:22 A Ghost Story." However, her return to a regular television role signifies a more substantial re-engagement with her career.