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Celebrity couple Ashley, Cheryl Cole to divorce

(Agencies)
2010-05-27 13:45

LONDON? – England international footballer Ashley Cole and his pop star wife Cheryl are getting divorced, her representatives said on Wednesday, three months after they announced their separation.

The Chelsea defender, 29, and the 26-year-old Girls Aloud singer are to formally split after three-and-a-half years of marriage. They are one of Britain's most high-profile celebrity couples.

"I can confirm they are getting divorced," a spokeswoman for Supersonic PR told AFP, giving no further details.

Kiss-and-tell stories alleging the footballer's serial infidelity had appeared in newspapers before her publicists announced in February that they had split.

Ashley Cole is among England manager Fabio Capello's 30-man shortlist and is considered a certainty to be named in the 23-strong squad for the World Cup in South Africa, which starts on June 11.

The former Arsenal left-back is among the most senior players in the squad, with 77 caps.

In his last appearance, he won the FA Cup with Chelsea, to earn a record sixth FA Cup winner's medal.

Girls Aloud scored top 10 hits in Britain with their first 20 singles, including four number ones.

The band was formed in 2002 from a television talent contest. Such shows regularly top the British viewing charts.

Cheryl Cole's first solo album, released last year, topped the British charts, as did its first single, "Fight For This Love", said to have been inspired by her marital problems.