Cheryl and Liam PayneKarwai Tang/WireImage

Cheryl, the former X Factor UK judge and mother of Liam Payne‘s son, is asking for respect following the death of the One Direction singer.

“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,” Cheryl wrote in a statement. “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 7 year old son. A son that now has to face the reality of never seeing his father again.”

The Girls Aloud group member was a judge on The X Factor Season 5 in 2008 when Payne first auditioned for the show, getting the judges’ approval to move on to the next stage. Cheryl crossed paths with Payne again when he returned in Season 7 when One Direction was formed.

Cheryl and Payne began dating many years later, welcoming their son Bear in 2017.

“What is troubling my spirit the most is that one day Bear will have access to the abhorrent reports and media exploitation we have seen in the past two days. It is breaking my heart further that I cannot protect him from that in his future,” Cheryl continued.

“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.”

Cheryl ended her statement by making one last request, “Please give Liam the little dignity he has left in the wake of his death to rest in some peace at last.”