will.i.am congratulates ‘awesome’ new parents Liam Payne and Cheryl

will.i.am says Liam Payne and Cheryl will be "awesome parents".

The couple recently welcomed their first child together, a son, and Cheryl’s former manager will.i.am could not be happier for them.

Speaking during a Facebook Live chat with The Sun, he said: "I haven’t been in touch with her but I am so proud of her. Cheryl, wherever you are congratulations. Liam congratulations.

"Liam, you have an awesome baby mama. Are they married? OK, so you have an awesome baby mama. They’re boyfriend and girlfriend? You have an amazing girlfriend.

"She’s an awesome woman, she’s going to be an awesome mum, as you’re going to be an awesome dad, so congratulations to both of you guys."

Liam and Cheryl announced their son’s arrival by sharing a picture of Liam holding the tot, on their Instagram pages.

Liam, 23, wrote: "My close friends and family know there are very few times when I’m left speechless… wow!

"I’m incredibly happy to welcome our new baby boy into the world, it’s a moment that I will never forget for the rest of my life and my favourite memory I have so far.

"I’m completely in awe of his incredible mother and how she has been the whole way through this, she’s really made my dreams come true. We haven’t named him yet but he’s already capturing hearts including mine. I feel very blessed (sic)."

And Cheryl added: "On Wednesday 22nd March Liam and I became parents to an incredibly beautiful, healthy baby boy, weighing 7lb 9 and looking like a dream. Although he still doesn’t have a name he is already stealing hearts. We are all madly in love and overwhelmingly happy with our little arrival (sic)."