Singer Cheryl Cole has separated from her footballer husband Ashley Cole, her spokesman has confirmed. A statement read: "Cheryl Cole is separating from her husband Ashley Cole. Cheryl asks the media to respect her privacy during this difficult time." The announcement follows weeks of speculation about their private life and press reports that their four-year marriage was in trouble following allegations that Ashley had cheated on her with several women. The 26-year-old X Factor judge flew into Heathrow airport this morning after spending a week in Los Angeles. The Girls Aloud star was escorted through the airport by two police officers and was photographed minus her wedding ring getting into a chauffer-driven silver Mercedes. During her stay in Los Angeles, Cheryl was reportedly being comforted by dancer Derek Hough, who appears in the music video for her new single Parachute.
