Liam Payne's fans go into meltdown as the 'daddy-to-be' posts a smouldering shirtless snap... after Brian Friedman 'confirmed Cheryl's pregnancy'

X Factor choreographer Brian Friedman appeared to confirm rumours that the pop star was expecting a baby with girlfriend Cheryl earlier this week.

So Liam Payne sent fans into meltdown on Friday by uploading a shirtless selfie to Instagram - causing them to swoon over his body as a 'father-to-be' in comments.

The former One Direction star, 23, garnered over 200,000 likes in less than an hour as he showed off his unbelievably shredded chest in the snap during a workout - proving his intense fitness regime to be paying off.

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Muscle man: Liam Payne, 23, sent fans into meltdown on Friday, as he uploaded a shirtless selfie to Instagram - causing them to swoon over his body as a 'father-to-be'

Muscle man: Liam Payne, 23, sent fans into meltdown on Friday, as he uploaded a shirtless selfie to Instagram - causing them to swoon over his body as a 'father-to-be'

The One Direction crooner stripped to nothing but his shorts for the hot snap, which he took of his hunky reflection in the mirror. 

The star's rippling chest muscles and bulging biceps were left on full display as he posed front on to the camera, while his shredded stomach was only made more defined by the addition of a dramatic black and white filter.

With his muscle tone taking centre stage, fans were quick to express their admiration for the handsome singer.

Brian Friedman said of the couple (pictured): 'Everyone wants to be in love, everyone wants to be happy. And now they're having a baby together, so they definitely found something great'

 Admiration: Many users addressed recent rumours that he and girlfriend Cheryl are expecting a baby in the comments of the snap, by referring to him as 'one hot daddy-to-be'

Endless users commented with a simple 'WOW' or 'OMG' - while others addressed recent rumours that he and girlfriend Cheryl are expecting a baby by admitting he is 'one hot daddy-to-be'.

The pair have remained quiet amidst the heavy pregnancy speculation - but X Factor choreographer Brian Friedman appeared to confirm the news that the couple were expecting earlier this week.

Talking to new! magazine, he said of Cheryl, 33 and Liam:  'Everyone wants to be in love, everyone wants to be happy. 

'And now they're having a baby together, so they definitely found something great. It's funny to think back how long ago it was that they first met. 

Has Brian Friedman confirmed Cheryl's 'pregnancy'? X Factor choreographer claims star is 'having a baby' with Liam Payne - pictured together back in 2010

Has Brian Friedman confirmed Cheryl's 'pregnancy'? X Factor choreographer claims star is 'having a baby' with Liam Payne - pictured together back in 2010

'There's something ironic in that they both came up into the industry in the same way, so they have an immediate connection.'

Cheryl became a household name when she joined girl band Girls Aloud, who were put together by talent show, Popstars: The Rivals in 2002.

Liam first laid eyes on Cheryl in 2008 when he auditioned for the X Factor but failed to make it through to the live shows.

Brian said of the couple (pictured): 'Everyone wants to be in love, everyone wants to be happy. And now they're having a baby together, so they definitely found something great'

Brian said of the couple (pictured): 'Everyone wants to be in love, everyone wants to be happy. And now they're having a baby together, so they definitely found something great'

Two years later at the age of 16, he appeared on the series again and joined forces with fellow solo singers to create One Direction, but it wasn't until February 2016 that they decided to embark on a romance.

During Liam's time on the show, Cheryl was married to her now ex-husband Ashley Cole. She went on to remarry with Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini in 2014, and announced their separation earlier this year.    

In an interview conducted during his time on The X Factor, the One Direction star admitted he had 'trouble concentrating' around her.

Could it be? Rumours that Cheryl has been pregnant have been around for a couple of months - pictured in October 

Could it be? Rumours that Cheryl has been pregnant have been around for a couple of months - pictured in October 

Joined by his band members during their time on the ITV talent show, the singers were asked about what it was like working with Cheryl when their mentor Simon Cowell fell ill.

'It was strange because obviously we're used to having Simon as a mentor,' Harry Styles told former Xtra Factor host Konnie Huq, before Liam added: 'I think we had a bit of trouble concentrating actually.'

Revealing that the feeling had been somewhat mutual, Louis Tomlinson quipped: 'Simon's never flirted with us like Cheryl did actually, so...' 

The start... The pair famously met when Liam auditioned on The X Factor in 2008 - while Cheryl, 10 years his senior, was a judge and he was just 14

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