Liam Payne touches down in Tokyo on baby son Bear's first birthday

Liam Payne touched down in Tokyo on baby son Bear’s first birthday, leaving Cheryl to celebrate alone.

The former One Direction star was forced to miss part of his son's milestone day as he's scheduled to headline Japan's Popspring festival, alongside Little Mix.

But the date of the festival meant that the 24-year-old had to fly on his son Bear’s first birthday, with Cheryl at home celebrating, although it is thought that the trip was pushed back slightly so as to not miss the whole day.

Payne did, however, mark the milestone with a sweet snap of him holding hands with his tiny child.

Posting on Instagram, he wrote: “Can’t believe my little man is one today, where does the time go?

“Happy birthday son you’re my world.”

Meanwhile, Cheryl reached out to fans to thank them for sending birthday messages on the special day.

The singer – who is due to release her fifth album – was inundated with well wishes on Thursday.

She tweeted: “Thank you so much for all of your beautiful birthday wishes for Bear. Have told him he has lots.”

The celebrity pair welcomed their first child together on March 22 last year. They have kept him out of the spotlight, posting very few pictures of his hands and feet.