Cheryl has described the death of Liam Payne as an "earth shattering event".
The Girls Aloud singer, who dated Payne from 2016 to 2018, shares seven-year-old son Bear with the late 31-year-old star.
Following Payne's shock death on Wednesday, Cheryl has now broken her silence and taken to social media to honour her former partner.
"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 wrote on Instagram on Friday, alongside a black and white photograph of Payne lying on a bed with Bear when he was a baby.
Cheryl went on to ask people to give Payne's loved ones privacy and respect the passing of the father of her child.
"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 seven year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again," she shared.
Payne is also survived by his mother Karen, father Geoff and older sisters Nicola and Ruth.
Cheryl went on to blast speculation circulating about the One Direction star's death following a fall from a hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
"It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him (Bear) from that in his future," Cheryl said of the rumours.
"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.
"Before you leave comments or make videos, ask yourself if you would like your own child or family to read them."
She finished her message by asking for people to show Payne the respect he deserves.
Cheryl added: "Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last."
