The curse of Cheryl's mum: Romantic dinner for X-Factor star and One Direction singer... but let's hope he makes more of an impression than poor Ashley 

Holding hands and beaming, new lovers Cheryl Fernandez-Versini and Liam Payne look as though they have just enjoyed a romantic dinner for two.

But it was, in fact, for three.

Cheryl’s mother, who keeps a close eye on her daughter, joined the couple on their night out.

See Cheryl updates as she and Liam Payne have dinner with Joan Callaghan

Beaming: Cheryl Fernandez-Versini holds hands with her new boyfriend Liam Payne

The dinner date seemed to confirm that 32-year-old Cheryl’s relationship with the One Direction star, 22, is going from strength to strength. And their broad smiles suggested that Payne had passed the all-important test of gaining family approval.

Cheryl’s mother Joan Callaghan, however, was giving nothing away, keeping a straight face as she left the exclusive restaurant in London after attending the 30th birthday celebrations of Lily England, the singer's assistant and close friend. 

Payne perhaps has reason to be wary, since Mrs Callaghan has not always been a lucky charm in her daughter’s love life.

Cheryl, who claims she has dropped her surname, has said her mother is the person she trusts most in her life.

Shortly after the singer married England footballer Ashley Cole in 2006, Mrs Callaghan moved in with them at their £6million mansion in Surrey. It all seemed very cosy, with the couple enjoying a night out with Mrs Callaghan to celebrate Cheryl’s 26th birthday in 2009.

But the marriage crumbled, with the couple divorcing in 2010.

Cole later told how he would escape to a ‘gaming room’ to avoid his mother-in-law. Mrs Callaghan has since insisted that she meets any potential suitors for her daughter early on.

Grim-faced: Joan Callaghan leaves the London restaurant, where they had been celebrating the 30th birthday of Cheryl's assistant Lily England

Cheryl went on to marry Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini in July 2014 after just three months of dating, but the couple split at the end of last year.

Mrs Callaghan was seen with Cheryl and Payne at the Salmontini le Resto restaurant on Wednesday night. All three were dressed head-to-toe in black, with Mrs Callaghan opting for a quirky tassled dress and leather-look jacket, while Payne was relatively casual in a polo-neck and jeans.

Cheryl looked elegant in a figure-hugging jumpsuit and fur shrug, with a large gold necklace bearing the word ‘love’.

Not pleased? Joan with Cheryl and her first husband Ashley Cole

She met Payne when he auditioned for The X Factor in 2010, when she was a judge on the show. But they did not start dating until a few months ago after her split from Mr Fernandez-Versini. Her divorce has not yet been finalised.

Cheryl and Payne have certainly not kept their feelings quiet. After news of their relationship broke two weeks ago, Payne posted an intimate photo of the couple snuggled up together on his Instagram account. He also gushed about his lover on the social media site on Tuesday, writing: ‘Happy #internationalwomensday to my favourite woman in the world hope I make you as happy as u make me.’

Their relationship has not been popular with their combined 11million followers on Instagram. They have been flooded with negative comments, prompting Payne to write: ‘Wow the internet is a dark place these days.’