Cheryl Cole separates from Ashley

Feb 23, 2010, 16:31 GMT

Cheryl Cole has split from husband Ashley Cole.

The 'Fight for This Love' singer - who has been left devastated by allegations the soccer player cheated on her with five women - has decided to end her three-year marriage after returning from Los Angeles.

A statement from her public relations company Supersonic PR said: "Cheryl Cole is separating from her husband Ashley Cole. Cheryl asks the media to respect her privacy during this difficult time."

The news comes just hours after she arrived back in the UK minus her wedding ring.

She flew back to London's Heathrow airport and was soon bundled into a waiting car to drive her back to her Surrey mansion.

However, when she arrived at the sprawling property, it was unlikely she was greeted by Ashley as he was seen leaving the marital home earlier in the day.

It had been reported Cheryl - who was in America to record some new songs - had told Ashley by text message to leave the house by the time she got back.

A source said: "Cheryl has decided enough is enough and she is going to divorce him. She has told Ashley to get out of the family home because she does not wish to see him.

"She has no desire to hear any more excuses or explanations. Grand gestures will not help either. When she left for America last week she wasn't exactly sure of her future."

Following the text, Cheryl sought comfort from 'Dancing with the Stars' professional performer Derek Hough.

Derek arrived at the London hotel in West Hollywood to see Cheryl at around 7.30pm on Sunday (21.02.10) - the day she texted Ashley - accompanied by his terrier dog, and left at around 4am, smiling. Ashley - who wed Cheryl in 2006 - has yet to comment on allegations he slept with five women while married to the Girls Aloud beauty.