Cheryl gives rare glimpse of son Bear as she celebrates turning 40 with Girls Aloud bandmates

Cheryl is embracing turning 40 as she marked the milestone age with some of her nearest and dearest, including her Girls Aloud bandmates and rarely-seen son Bear.

The Fight For This Love singer and her party crew headed to Wilderness Reserve in Suffolk for an action-packed weekend which saw them take part in archery, swimming and axe throwing, to name a few.

Among the revellers were Cheryl’s mother Joan, EastEnders actor and 2:22 A Ghost story co-star Jake Wood, 50, and her Girls Aloud bandmates; Nicola Roberts, 37, Nadine Coyle, 38, and Kimberley Walsh, 41.

Walsh also brought along her husband Justin Scott and their three sons Bobby, Cole and Nate, who would have been great company for Cheryl’s six-year-old son, whom she shares with ex Liam Payne.

The birthday girl took to Instagram on Monday to upload a video montage of the festivities, where it looked like a great time was had by all and included a sweet clip of Bear hugging Joan.

“As my 40th celebrations end and a new era begins I just wanted to wish all my fellow 83 babies the happiest of happy birthdays,” she penned in the accompanying caption.

Adding: “Wishing for you inner peace , much love , joy and happiness. We made it through the turbulence! They say life begins at 40 and I think I believe them.”

She went on to thank the reserve, describing her experience as “the best birthday weekend I could’ve wished for”.