National News
Cheryl and Ashley Cole are divorced
10:30am Friday 3rd September 2010
The marriage of Cheryl and Ashley Cole has ended in divorce after four years.
The X Factor judge got a "quickie divorce" at the High Court's Family Division.
A case - titled CAC vs AC, which would indicate Cheryl Ann Cole against Ashley Cole - was heard before District Judge Christopher Simmonds "for pronouncement of decree or order under the special procedure rule".
The pair separated in February after public allegations about the England and Chelsea defender's infidelity.
They met in 2004 when they both had homes in the same London apartment block.
Cole, 29, eventually got Cheryl's number from Girls Aloud bandmate Kimberley Walsh, who was friendly with one of the player's then team-mates at Arsenal.
The pop star/footballer union soon led to them being compared to the Beckhams.
They were engaged in 2005 after he proposed in Dubai and they tied the knot the next year, with an OK! magazine deal.
In early 2008 claims were made that Ashley Cole had been unfaithful during his time with Cheryl. Their troubled marriage was the subject of much media attention and Cheryl Cole was pictured on a number of occasions without her wedding ring.
The celebrity couple were one of 29 couples listed today to be granted decrees nisi - a preliminary divorce order which could be finalised within weeks if neither side objects - at the Principal Registry of the Family Division in High Holborn, London.
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