Cheryl and Liam Payne arrive together at the Brits amid split rumours

Cheryl and Liam Payne have put on a defiant display together at the Brit Awards after speculation mounted about their relationship.

The couple held hands and gazed into each other’s eyes as they posed for pictures on the red carpet at the music awards ceremony at London’s O2 Arena, where Payne is due to perform.

In recent days, the pair have been at the centre of rumours that they are on the verge of splitting up.

On Tuesday, 34-year-old Cheryl had briefly responded to the speculation, declaring that “none of that matters” as she opened a Prince’s Trust centre in Newcastle.

On the red carpet, Cheryl sported a one-sleeved black mini dress with a ruffled detail across the chest and down the arm.

She held up a white rose in support of the anti-sexual harassment campaign Time’s Up that has made its way to the Brits after being a fixture at film award ceremonies the Baftas and the Golden Globes.

Nominee Payne, who is up for British single and British artist video of the year, opted for a pale grey suit jacket and black trousers.

Payne will perform his single For You, from the Fifty Shades Freed soundtrack, during the ceremony with Rita Ora.

The couple welcomed their son Bear in March last year after being an item since 2016.

They first met on The X Factor in 2008 when Cheryl was a judge and Payne auditioned as a solo contestant, two years before becoming part of the hit boyband One Direction on the programme.