Girls Aloud Star Cole Splits From Husband

The star wed the England international in July 2006 but their marriage was rocked in January 2008 when hairdresser Aimee Walton claimed the sportsman had spent the night with her.

Cole battled through the fallout in a desperate bid to save her marriage - but further allegations emerged earlier this month (Feb10) linking her husband to four more women.

The Fight For This Love singer flew to Los Angeles to escape media attention over the scandal - but within hours of arriving back in the U.K. on Tuesday (23Feb10) she issued a statement confirming her marriage is over.

Her representatives said, "Cheryl Cole is separating from her husband Ashley Cole. Cheryl asks the media to respect her privacy during this difficult time. We have no further comment to make."

A spokesperson for Girls Aloud said Cole's bandmates - Nicola Roberts, Sarah Harding, Nadine Coyle, and Kimberley Walsh - are supporting their pal in private but will not be making any statement.