And Cheryl Cole 'dumps Ashley by text'...

Cheryl Cole has sent a text message to husband Ashley telling him their relationship is over. The betrayed singer sent the message after reading of her footballer husband's five mistresses, according to reports.

Cheryl intends to return to the UK this week to announce the split, with a draft statement regarding the divorce already drawn up.
Cheryl Cole walking into a studio in Santa Monica

It's over: Cheryl Cole, arriving
at a recording studio in Hollywood yesterday, has sent a text message to husband Ashley telling him their marriage is over

A close friend of the star told the Sun that when she headed to Los Angeles following her performance at the Brits she was still deciding her future.

But she is now clear that the marriage is over and, as the Daily Mail reported last week, is said to have consulted divorce lawyers.

'The time for any more excuses or promises is over. She wants to have put a statement out by the end of the week so she can start moving on,' the friend said.

'She has no desire to humiliate Ashley further and wishes to proceed in a dignified manner.'

Even bookmakers were last night declaring it was 'inevitable' Mrs Cole would soon be filing for divorce.

A spokesman for William Hill said: 'In our opinion, it is a done deal and we are happy to hand over winnings now.'

Yesterday one of Cole's alleged one-night stands - the fourth to come forward - claimed he had sobbed down the phone to her that he would die if he lost his wife over their fling.

He is said to have pleaded with U.S. political aide Ann Corbitt to keep quiet about twice having unprotected sex with her in a Seattle hotel last July when Chelsea was on a pre-season tour.

A fifth alleged flame, Alexandra Taylor, also came forward to say she had sex with Cole on the night he 'went public' with Cheryl in 2004.

Yesterday, Miss Corbitt told the News of the World she had no idea Cole was married until she looked him up on the internet.

Meanwhile, Miss Taylor, a 27-year-old glamour model, claimed in the Sunday Mirror that she bedded the player just hours after he and Mrs Cole danced at the National Television Awards in 2004.

Cole was exposed as a love rat in 2008 for sleeping with hairdresser Aimee Walton.

Last week, it was revealed X-rated pictures of him were sent from his phone to Page Three girl Sonia Wild.

Just days later, Mrs Cole was again devastated by claims he had slept with Vicki Gough, a 30-year-old secretary.

The news comes as Cole faces a fight for his future at Chelsea Football Club in the light of the scandal.

He faces a suspension or 'meaningful' fine from Chelsea after claims he hoodwinked the club into covering up his philandering.

Yesterday, it was revealed that Steve Atkins, Chelsea's head of media, told Cole and his lover Ann Corbitt how to silence allegations of a tryst.

However, he insists the pair misled him, saying claims of an affair were 'false'.

Sportsmail has learned Cole is to be hauled before Chelsea's board as early as Friday to explain himself.

The club decided to act because the defender's alleged affair occurred while he was 'on duty' during a tour.

Billionaire Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich has already threatened players with disciplinary action, telling them to stop dragging the club's reputation through the mud.

One insider said: 'Ashley might be the best left back in the world but the players were told on Wednesday that nobody is above the law. A line has been drawn in the sand and the owner has had enough.'

Last night a club spokesman said: 'This is a private matter for Ashley Cole.

'Where anything is alleged to have happened on Chelsea FC time is an internal club matter and will be dealt with internally.'

But Chelsea are taking a very dim view of Cole's actions, not least because of the embarrassment caused to their highly regarded head of communications Steve Atkins.

The 'other women': Ashley has been linked to Alexandra Taylor (left) and Ann Corbitt, who claims she slept with Cole while he was on tour in the US...

...and he has also allegedly had liaisons with hairdresser Aimee Walton, glamour model Sonia Wild and Liverpool club secretary Vicki Gough

Atkins was embroiled in the saga when Cole asked him to give advice to Ann Corbitt.

Cole is said to have claimed that he had not had an affair with the girl, but she now alleges that a liason took place.

While in LA, Mrs Cole has spent time with Derek Hough, a 24-year-old U.S. dancer. The pair have watched a romantic film together and dined at upmarket restaurant Katsuya.

However, Strictly Come Dancing judge Bruno Tonioli - who introduced the pair last October - said: 'Cheryl is going through hell. Derek is a gentleman and he's being a good friend to her. She is not the type who would do tit-for-tat.'

Cole's solicitor said the player had no comment to make. A spokesman for Mrs Cole also declined to comment.

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Il était temps, ce jeune blanc-bec arrête pas de la poignarder dans le dos.