Singer Cher Lloyd broke down in tears in an Instagram video on Tuesday as she told fans she is in the "worst pain she's ever felt" following her father's death and her marital split.
The 33-year-old former X Factor star revealed her dad, Darren, passed away in April, having previously shared that he had been "seriously unwell" in hospital in 2020.
Taking to Instagram to share a vulnerable moment with her followers, the singer opened up about her ongoing struggle with grief in the emotional video clip.
"I'm not one to cry on the internet, but today has been really hard," she told her followers.
"Like I just miss my dad, and I feel like a little girl again. And it doesn't get any easier. Like grief is-I can't explain it like this, like the worst pain you've ever felt," she said.
She added: "People say it gets easier over time, but I don't think it does. I think I'll be this version of me forever."
The mother of two also shared a photo with one of her children on social media, writing: "My greatest reason."
Marriage breakdown and split from Craig Monk
Cher's father's death came just three months before it was revealed that she had split from her husband Craig Monk after 13 years of marriage.
The couple married in November 2013 and share two daughters: Delilah-Rae, born in May 2018, and Eliza Violet, born in September 2023.
Speculation over the state of their marriage first arose when Cher posted a photo of her ring-free hand to her 2.6 million Instagram followers. She later responded to a user by stating she had thrown her wedding ring "in the bin."
Following the public revelation of the marital split, a source told the Daily Mail that Cher should "stop airing her dirty laundry in public" and focus instead on "talking" to her estranged husband.
A source close to Craig urged the singer to "have an adult conversation with her husband" rather than posting online about their relationship.
The source stated that Craig found Cher's online posts "disrespectful," adding: "She's obviously spent the last few days photographing her hand. It seems to be for attention."
"To say that she's thrown her wedding ring in the bin is extremely disrespectful. Once something like that goes online, it's always online," the source continued.
"I think it's quite obvious that she's not acting in a very mature manner. Maybe have an adult conversation instead of going straight onto Instagram."
The source added that Craig is focusing on his family: "Craig's okay. He's getting on with life and prioritising his two girls and that is literally all that is at the forefront of his mind. They are the only ones who matter in all of this."
The Daily Mail contacted Cher's representative for comment following the source's statements.
Father Darren's illness and passing
In April, Cher announced her father's passing by sharing a screenshot of a text message exchange between them.
"Life will never be the same again. I've never felt pain like this. My Dad, I love you. Goodnight 10.03.73 - 11.04.26," she wrote in her tribute.
The shared text exchange showed Cher messaging, "I love you dad. More than you'll ever know," to which Darren replied: "I know you do. And I love you more and more each day see you tomorrow."
Darren had previously suffered severe health issues. In 2020, Cher revealed that her father was "seriously unwell" in hospital after being hospitalised twice during the coronavirus lockdown.
At the time, the pop singer expressed her fears for her father's health due to his pre-existing medical conditions.
"I'm sorry I've been quiet on here - I find it difficult to share my personal life at the best of times but I feel I need to let you know what's going on. My dad has been seriously unwell and is in hospital," Cher told fans during the pandemic.
She continued in 2020: "This has been really difficult on us and my heads all over the place. I wish I could see him and I wish I could be with my family to support them, especially mum."
Cher, whose mother is Dina, added at the time: "We can't be with dad but I'm so grateful to the doctors and nurses for looking after him. This is such a scary time for everyone. I hope you are keeping safe."
Background on Cher Lloyd's career
Cher Lloyd first rose to national fame in 2010 as a contestant on the seventh series of the British television music competition The X Factor, finishing in fourth place.
Following her appearance on the show, she launched her recording career with her debut single "Swagger Jagger" in 2011, followed by chart success with "Want U Back."
