Cheryl has slammed reports that her relationship with Liam Payne is in trouble following the publication of photos of the One Direction star with a backing dancer.

The couple's relationship has been the subject of speculation of late and now Cheryl has spoken out about the newly published photos which showed Payne with a dancer in Dubai. She also referenced an image Payne posted on Instagram earlier in the week alongside popstar Katy Perry.

She tweeted: "I usually don't bother myself to respond to stupid articles. But in my silence they hold the pen.

"This is a stupid article, clutching at very small straws. But I can't ignore this story involving an innocent dancer colleague of Liam's who has a fiancé, and dragging them in to this desperate attempt to try to cause problems between Liam and I.

"Nor do I understand the almost daily onslaught of stories. The other "mystery woman" in the story happens to be my long term friend and manager (that's embarrassing)

"I also happen to love Katy Perry", she concluded.

The former X Factor judge added: "Now.. off on our holiday. And the only thing we're making are memories. And breaking is our healthy eating. toodles."

The couple welcomed their son Bear in March last year after been together since 2016.

They first met on The X Factor in 2008 when Cheryl was a judge and Payne auditioned as a solo contestant, two years before becoming part of the hit boyband One Direction on the programme.