Liam Payne’s new record deal sparks fans congratulating him on Cheryl ‘pregnancy’ rumours

The news that Liam Payne has inked a deal in the US with Republic Records led #CongratsLiam to trend on Twitter last night and fans went into a meltdown believing the hashtag was confirmation of the rumour Cheryl is pregnant.

Liam Payne and Cheryl composite (WENN/Ian West PA Wire)

The 23-year-old One Direction singer sent shockwaves through the band’s army of Twitter followers after he nabbed a solo deal Stateside and his music industry peers began congratulating him online.

Liam enthusiasts - who know the star has a huge contract in the UK with Capitol Records already - jumped to conclusions about his 33-year-old girlfriend’s rumoured medical state and thought it meant there was a second One Direction baby on the way.

One fan even said they had “a little heart attack” at the news.

Another added: “Don’t do that fam I DROPPED MY PHONE ON THE FLOOR I SWEAR Y’ALL WANT TO SEE ME GET A HEART ATTACK #congratsliam.”

Liam and Cheryl live together in Los Angeles and have been dating since January.

Back in Sepetmber a L’Oreal campaign starring Cheryl set tongues wagging that the former Girls Aloud star was expecting her first child with Liam because she she appeared to have a “fuller face” and she’s been sporting a more rounded tummy of late.

Liam’s bandmate Louis Tomlinson already has baby Freddie with his short-lived ex Briana jungwirth.

Meanwhile, a statement from Republic Records teased new music would be coming from ‘History’ singer, soon. It read: “A driving force of One Direction with numerous key songwriting credits, Liam sold over 20 million albums worldwide as part of the group in addition to receiving six BRIT Awards, seven American Music Awards, 11 MTV Europe Music Awards, four MTV Video Music Awards, and 27 Teen Choice Awards.

“He kicks off his solo career with new music coming soon via an alliance with Capitol UK label, led by Nick Raphael.”