Cheryl and Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini ‘to meet for first time since split’ in Cannes

Fresh from smooching on Liam Payne as they arrived from France, Cheryl Cole now has some less pleasant business to attend to: avoiding her ex-husband as they both tiptoe around Cannes.

Because Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini will be working in his restaurant Cosy Box while Cheryl's in town on business for L'Oreal – and there's every chance they could bump into each other for the first time since their split.

While both JB and Cheryl did their best to keep their marriage breakdown out of the spotlight, it wasn't long after their split that Cheryl and Liam went public – prompting JB to brand their relationship a "publicity stunt" in March 2016.

A source told The Sun: "Cheryl would have loved to have skipped Cannes this year but her work schedule wouldn't permit it. She will be doing everything she can to avoid JB."

The insider went on: "Their divorce is at its most bitter point yet, with relations at an all-time low, but Cannes is a small place. There is every chance they will bump into each other."

While Cheryl has made no mention of heading to Cannes, One Direction's Liam posted a snap of the couple on his Instagram, tagging it with the French town.

The pair flew in to Cannes on a private jet, landing on Wednesday morning ahead of the launch of the film festival.

Jean-Bernard, meanwhile, is thought to have told his Instagram followers that this will be his 15th Cannes Film Festival, "and still feel like it's my first ever time".

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