Friends of Cheryl Cole have reportedly claimed that she is likely to ask her husband Ashley for a divorce.

Yesterday Cheryl released a statement saying that she would be ‘separating’ from Ashley, after finding out that he had cheated on her with five other women.

A pal told The Sun: “Cheryl still has extremely strong feelings for Ashley despite being let down, angry and hurt. So she decided to just issue a short statement that they have split up.

“It is permanent – make no mistake about that. But to soften the blow to Ashley she has allowed the slight possibility that one day – perhaps in six months’ time – she will hear what he has to say.”

They added: “However, it is more than likely she will press on and seek a divorce.”