Liam Payne, Cheryl Fernandez-Versini make red carpet debut as couple

PARIS, May 10 (UPI) -- Liam Payne and Cheryl Fernandez-Versini have officially made their red carpet debut as a couple.

The two lovebirds were spotted attending Eva Longoria's Global Gift Gala in Paris on Monday, where Fernandez-Versini was honored with the Global Gift philanthropist award for her charity Cheryl's Trust.

Payne was seen keeping things classy with a dapper suit and collarless shirt while Fernandez-Versini donned an elegant light pink cut-out gown. According to People magazine, the couple was very affectionate with each other at the event and were spotted holding hands together as they left.

"So honoured to receive the Global gift philanthropist award tonight at the #Globalgiftgala," the 32-year-old X-Factor judge shared on Instagram alongside a photo of her Global Gift award. Meanwhile the 22-year-old One Direction singer congratulated his lover on Twitter with a selfie of the pair. "So proud of her tonight such a special award #GlobalGiftGala," he wrote.

Payne first met Fernandez-Versini when he auditioned on the X-Factor in 2008. They crossed paths once again on the competition show in 2010 and then started dating in late 2015. Payne was last involved with Sophie Smith whom he spilt with back in October while Fernandez-Versini was married to Ashley Cole from 2006 to 2010 and is in the midst of a divorce from Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini.