Anti debt campaigners have blasted Cheryl Cole, after she admitted that she borrowed money from a loanshark to fund her path to fame.

The X Factor judge told Stylist magazine that she borrowed money from a man who visited the houses in her area, so that she could buy clothes and makeup for her Pop Stars audition. She said:

“I got a temporary loan from the guy that comes round your house, to get myself something – some hairspray, make-up and an outfit.”

“It was the latest thing from River Island. It was the top everyone wanted.”

Nathan Alleyne, from the free National Debtline, has hit out at the star, now worth £10 million. He told The Daily Mail:

“Unfortunately, unlike in Cheryl’s case, there are thousands of people who don’t get the dream lifestyle afterwards and pay the price.”

Mum-of-two Deborah Martin told the newspaper: “It’s all very well Cheryl mentioning she took out a loan but what about the impact on those who look up to her?

“One of my girls said to me, `Mum, can I get a loan to get some new clothes?’ and I had to tell her she doesn’t want to get into those kinds of bad habits.”