Cheryl Cole has issued a statement revealing that she will be separating from husband Ashley Cole.

Cheryl had barely landed back in the UK when her management issued the statement saying:

“Cheryl Cole is separating from her husband Ashley Cole. Cheryl asks the media to respect her privacy during this difficult time.”

The X Factor judge made her decision after discovering that her footballing husband had slept with at least five other women whilst they were together.

On their expected divorce settlement Vanessa Lloyd Platt, a high-profile divorce lawyer told The Telegraph:

“Ashley could have slept with half the women in England and it would not affect the settlement – unless he had been spending their money on them.

“The Coles had a short marriage and no children; the courts treat these cases very differently to 20-year relationships with kids involved. She has independent wealth, so will probably receive half of any assets they built up during the marriage.”