'Pregnant' Cheryl, 33, covers up her 'bump' in loose knitted dress and camel coat as she holds hands with Liam Payne, 23, on date night

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They're being followed by snowballing claims that they're expecting their first child.

But loved-up Cheryl, 33, and Liam Payne, 23, put the rumours aside on Sunday, as they reunited for date night, going hand-in-hand to dinner at Nobu in London.

The former Girls Aloud singer left her oversized coat open, having previously deliberately kept her midsection covered to avoid further baby speculation.

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What baby claims? Cheryl and boyfriend Liam Payne headed out to date night on Sunday evening in London amid reports they're expecting their first child

Even so, the musician was once again making a concerted effort to hide her slim figure, with every inch hugged by a co-ordinating polo neck jumper dress.

Cheryl has developed quite an attachment to the camel-coloured coat she wore on top that night, and was previously seen arriving in Paris wearing the same shapeless garment last weekend. 

Former X Factor judge Cheryl returned to work with a fuller, healthy appearance at the L'Oreal Paris Gold Obsession party during Paris Fashion Week, last Sunday night.

Covered up: She hid her changing figure beneath a camel coat and matching jumper dress

Baby claims: Reports of a 'first child' have gained traction in recent weeks, after Cheryl sported a fuller figure in Paris

Confronting the claims: Cheryl returned to the spotlight in Paris last Sunday when she appeared at the L'Oreal Paris event, sporting a fuller curve to her middle

It's the first time she's confronted the baby claims directly, finally exposing her midriff - an area that she had previously kept under wraps.

In a recent publicity shot, Cheryl's management seemed to fuel speculation when her tummy was cropped out of the first glimpse fans had caught of the star since the original baby claims.

The rumours date back to September when a source told Now magazine: 'Cheryl's never been more determined to have a baby. It's like it's the only thing in the world that matters to her.

'She's never been so focused on something. Cheryl has a stash of pregnancy and motherhood books she's always reading.' 

Reports of a first pregnancy for the famous couple then gained traction when Cheryl's mother Joan Callaghan was pictured buying baby goods.

Mad dash: It was a mad dash to the car for the famous pair, who have been avoiding the subject of their 'pregnancy'

Keeping her close: It's believed that Liam only arrived back in the UK that morning

Showing his support: Liam gripped tightly to Cheryl's hand on their exit

The sighting appeared to confirm the news, though a spokesperson for Cheryl has since refused to comment when contacted by MailOnline. 

Liam also raised eyebrows when he changed his Official Twitter bio to say he was 'the happiest man in the world'. 

Meanwhile, the former boyband hunk has been keeping himself hidden away in the recording studio, as he works on his first solo material since 1D went on hiatus.

It's believed that the Liam had only just arrived back in the UK from Los Angeles that morning, after being seen at Heathrow Airport, earlier that day.  

The emerging artist teased fans with a picture beside US musician Pharrell Williams on Friday, saying that it had been a 'pleasure working' with the hitmaker for a few days. 

Cute couple: The duo have been dating since late last year

Liam and Cheryl went public with their romance in February, shortly after it was announced that her marriage to Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Verisini was over.

It later came to light that the couple had struck up a bond during filming for the 2015 series of the X Factor, on the approach to last Christmas.

They first met when a 14-year-old Liam auditioned for the singing competition as a solo artist in 2008 and Cheryl - married at the time to first husband Ashley Cole - was serving on the panel as a judge.

Cheryl's best friend and former band mate Kimberley Walsh has previously hinted that Cheryl is so 'happy right now' that she gets broody around son Bobby, two.

Working away: Liam has been working on solo material with Pharrell Williams in the studio

In quotes given to Sunday People earlier this year, the Bradford native, who is expecting her second child with husband Justin Scott, said: 'She's really happy right now. And she'll be a brilliant mum. 

'She has loads of nieces and nephews, so she's used to the madness of children.'

The musician and mum-of-one went on to add: 'Both she and Nicola [Roberts] are naturally good with kids.'

Cheryl is currently seeking a divorce from French restaurateur Jean-Bernard, whom she married in 2014.

The singer went through a very public separation from her love rat first husband Ashley in 2010.

She called time on their relationship after two years of marriage amidst multiple infidelity claims.

Expecting her second: Cheryl's BFF and former bandmate Kimberley Walsh, who is expecting her second child, has previously said that Cheryl will make a 'great mum'

Broody? Kimberley says that her bandmates Nicola Roberts (pictured) and Cheryl get broody around two-year-old Bobby

Girls Aloud star: The girls stay close as a threesome now that the band is defunct