Cheryl Cole files for divorce from Ashley

After months of 'will she, won't she?' speculation in the British media, the singer and X Factor judge Cheryl Cole has filed for divorce from her footballer husband, Ashley Cole. She cited his "unreasonable behaviour" in papers filed at London's High Court yesterday.

It means the Chelsea and England defender will go to South Africa for the World Cup next month knowing where he stands, and that Cheryl will be free to pursue a career in the United States where it is believed Simon Cowell wants her to be a judge on his new US version of the X Factor.

The singer, who turns 27 next month, was called Cheryl Tweedy and was a member of Girls Aloud when she and Ashley married in July 2006. She has since become a solo star in her own right - Fight for This Love went to number one last autumn - as well as becoming a household name as a judge on the British version of the X Factor.

As a result, her earnings have overtaken his, and the Sun claims she is asking for no financial settlement. She will also allow him to remain in the couple's £6m home in Surrey.

The marriage broke down after the footballer was allegedly caught 'sex-texting' other women. The documents filed at the High Court say that Cheryl "put it to him that he had been unfaithful" and that her husband did not deny the charge.

In a recent poll, readers of Esquire voted her the woman most men want to go to bed with. If recent tabloid reports about her burgeoning friendship with the Black Eyed Peas' Will.i.am, are to be believed, they will be disappointed.

She and the rapper have been photographed together at several parties, including one thrown during the Cannes film festival by the De Grisogono jewellery house (above), who reportedly paid her £250,000 to perform for 30 minutes at the Hotel du Cap.

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