The Greatest Dancer star Cheryl Tweedy has vowed to “get Todrick Hall back” after her fellow dance captain made a joke about her past romance with Liam Payne in this week’s show.

During Saturday night’s episode, the four panellists – including returning star Cheryl and newcomer Todrick – were impressed by a performance from a young tap dancer.

After the audition, Oti Mabuse said that she wanted to have a baby daughter, specifically so she could grow up and marry the young performer, but her comment put Todrick in mind of something else.

“Well maybe you could date him a few years after he was on the show, that’s been done before,” he told Oti, prompting a big laugh from the Strictly Come Dancing star, and daggers from Cheryl.

“The shade!” Cheryl responded, before vowing to “get him back” later in the series.

Todrick was, of course, referencing Cheryl’s past relationship with former One Direction singer Liam Payne, who first auditioned for The X Factor at the age of 14, when Cheryl was still a judge, and even threw a wink in her direction. 

Although he went home fairly early, he returned two years later, which is when he ended up being put into the group One Direction, and boyband history was made.

Following One Direction’s split, it was heavily rumoured that Cheryl and Liam were secretly dating, and have since had a son together, Bear, who is approaching two years old.

The two went their separate ways in July 2018, but have since sung each other’s praises as they continue to co-parent their son.

The Greatest Dancer airs every Saturday night on BBC One.