Cheryl Cole and Ashley Cole to split
Cheryl Cole is separating from her husband Ashley Cole, her spokesman said today.
The split follows allegations that the star's husband, the England and Chelsea footballer, had again been unfaithful.
Cole flew back to Britain today after fleeing to the US when reports about her husband surfaced.
Her spokesman, Sundraj Sreenivasan, 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."
The statement ends one of the most high-profile showbusiness marriages - the couple wed in 2006.
They met in 2004 and went on to marry in a lavish ceremony two years later.
In 2008, Ashley was accused of sleeping with a hairdresser after a drunken night out. Cheryl removed her wedding band during the scandal, and didn’t wear it again for eight months.
Until now, the singer, 26, has maintained a dignified silence over reports that her husband had been with other women.
She was pictured in LA on Monday being comforted by US dancer Derek Hough, 24, whom she met when she recorded her album 3 Words.
Before going to the US, she performed at the Brits, taking to the stage despite her domestic problems.
Before the scandal broke, the Girls Aloud star had spoken about one day wanting to start a family with her husband.
The marriage survived a previous allegation of infidelity, which came 18 months after the couple's highly-publicised wedding.
Two women then sold stories about how they had become involved with the footballer.
Ironically, Cheryl Cole's career hit new heights - becoming the nation's darling with a judging role on the X Factor - following the reports.
Fight For This Love, Cole's first solo single, was inspired by her battle to fight for her marriage.
But as her relationship crumbled, her career could have been put in jeopardy if she was seen to stick by him again.
The singer had reportedly ordered her 29-year-old husband to leave their £6 million Surrey mansion before she returned to Britain.
She told him his marriage was over by text message, stating: "Move out. It's over", from LA early on Sunday, according to The Sun.
