Liam Payne’s ex-girlfriend Sophia Smith got the ultimate Christmas present: an engagement ring.
Smith revealed via Instagram that her boyfriend, James Bridgwood, proposed to her on Christmas Day. “Yes a million times over 
25.12.24,” she captioned a Friday, December 27, Instagram video of the proposal, which seemingly took place in their home with their daughter, Angelina, by their side.
The family of three were dressed in pajamas for the special moment and embraced for a group hug after Bridgwood put the ring on Smith’s finger. In addition to rose petals on the floor, Bridgwood placed a bottle of champagne and two glasses next to them for the proposal.
It is unknown when the couple began dating, though Smith shared her first Instagram pic with Bridgwood in June 2022. She announced her pregnancy that December, tagging her then-boyfriend in an Instagram snap of her baby bump. Angelina was born in April 2023. Before the pair’s Christmas engagement, they rang in the holidays with Angelina by taking photos with Santa Claus and posing in front of a Christmas tree for a sweet family photo.
Liam Payne’s Dating History: From Childhood Flames to Musicians and More
One Direction fans may remember Smith for her relationship with Payne, who was a childhood friend. They began dating in May 2013, shortly after Payne called it quits with Danielle Peazer in late 2012.
“I have fancied the pants off her since I was at school with her,” Payne shared in an October 2015 interview with Attitude magazine. “Yeah, except I didn’t actually go out with her at the time. I used to see her at school and we’d kind of chat.”
Payne revealed that he “asked her sister for her number,” adding, “She was very shy and didn’t give much indication that she liked me, so I just assumed that she wasn’t interested, as well as thinking she was way too hot for me anyway. … When I was single again, I met her at my mate’s party. I didn’t say too much to her because I was too scared to after messing things up, but we finally got talking and the rest is history. It really is one of those childhood sweetheart stories. I love her eyes. The first time our eyes met I fell in love.”
At the time, Payne said the two had “talked about marriage,” but she wanted her to follow her goals and not become “one of those stay-at-home girlfriends who doesn’t really do much.”
Liam Payne Through the Years: The One Direction Alum’s Life in Photos
Payne previously confirmed that the song “Illusion” from One Direction’s 2014 album, Four, was written about Smith. One year later, however, he and Smith called it quits. Payne moved on with fellow singer Cheryl Cole, whom he dated from 2016 to 2018.
Smith congratulated her ex when he and Cole, 41, welcomed their son, Bear, in March 2017. “I messaged to congratulate him,” she told The Sun in April 2017. “We’re all good. I’m happy for him.”
Payne died at age 31 on October 16 after falling while intoxicated from a third-story hotel balcony in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Smith has yet to publicly comment on his death, which is currently under investigation.
Payne was dating on-and-off girlfriend Kate Cassidy at the time of his death. Earlier this month, Cassidy, 25, debuted new angel wing tattoos on her fingers, which she seemingly got as a tribute to the late pop star.
