Liam Payne's fling with Naomi Campbell as he rebounded from Cheryl

Liam Payne once enjoyed a brief fling with iconic supermodel Naomi Campbell in a romance that took the world by surprise. In a celebrity match that nobody saw coming, Liam and Naomi - who shared a 23 year age gap - were first linked in January 2019. The pair hadn't been shy about their attraction to one other, openly flirting on social media and commenting on each other's steamy pics.

The public exchanges came after Naomi found herself single after allegedly splitting with Skepta in August 2018 - just two months after Liam, 27, announced his relationship with Cheryl, 37, had come to an end. In January 2019, Liam made his feelings clear when he called the model 'perfection in a person' in a cosy Instagram message. Naomi then repaid the compliment by replying 'beautiful soul' on one of Liam's topless snaps.



The same month the duo were spotted for the first time at Nigerian artist Davido's concert at London's O2 Arena. A month later they were seen again as they spent the evening at the same restaurant in Ghana. In another sighting, the pair were seen leaving celeb haunt Annabel's on the same night - just minutes apart.

At the time, a source told The Sun Liam was bragging about the 'mind-blowing' sex and saying he 'couldn't believe his luck' to be with Naomi. As the union attracted public attention, at the 2019 Brit Awards, host Jack Whitehall cracked jokes about the unlikely courtship as he introduced Liam to the stage. Calling the boyband member 'Naomi Campbell's current squeeze', Jack teased he'd be in a ' world of pain if he crossed her.

' Weeks later it was Naomi's turn to be grilled as she appeared on the Jonathan Ross talk show. The comedian wasted no time in asking the icon about her love life. However, the gossiping was quickly shut down by Naomi who explained "I never discuss my personal life' and described the ongoing speculation about her and the 1D star as 'humorous'.

Soon after a source disclosed that Naomi and Liam's 'fling' had 'fizzled out' as quickly as it had started. "Naomi has taken the decision to let things fizzle out. She’s just not into Liam any more.

Quite simply, she got a bit bored," a source told The Sun. The boyband star appeared to drop a big clue when he appeared on Bravo talk show Watch What Happens Live. Host Andy Cohen asked the singer three questions which he could answer or opt to 'plead the fifth', which means a refusal to answer.

"Liam, can you confirm or deny that you dated Naomi?" Andy quizzed. "i plead the fifth," Liam responded without missing a beat. Fellow guests Lea Michelle added fuel to the fire as she exclaimed: "He confirmed it!" "I pled the fifth.

It’s my right as a human," Liam insisted. He was also asked about a possible romance with Naomi by former SAS: Who Dares Wins star Ant Middleton as they trekked around Namibia together for a TV show. "She was just a friend," Liam told Ant, before turning away and giggling when the army man asked if she was a 'friend friend.

' "Come on Liam you know she wasn't an old buddy old pal, I think the world knows that!" Ant told him. A grinning Liam replied: "You believe what you want - I'm not saying anything.".