An ex-girlfriend of Dancing With Stars professional Derek Hough has said that he definitely has the hots for Cheryl Cole.

Derek and Cheryl danced together for Cheryl’s latest music video ‘Parachute’ and were spotted lunching together last week as Cheryl tried to get her head round the recent sex scandals surrounding her husband Ashley Cole.

Raquelle Gracie, who competed in X Factor’s 2007 series and dated Derek while they both attended London’s Italia Conti performing arts school told The People:

“Derek thinks Cheryl is an amazing woman. She is just his type, you can tell by the women he has been with before. He loves gorgeous women who are talented. And women like that love him because he’s a bit eccentric and a musician.

“He definitely fancies her. Whether they become a couple is simply up to Cheryl. Derek would be up for it.”

She added: “He’s very moralistic.

“He’s a very kind, caring guy and was a great shoulder for me to cry on when we dated at college.

“He will be a fantastic help for Cheryl. But he would never ever do anything unless she was single. He’s not the sort of guy that would cheat.”

Raquelle concluded: “Everyone loved him at Italia Conti, but he only dated a couple of other girls.

“He was just focused on his dance and looking after his body.

“He doesn’t smoke, doesn’t drink, doesn’t do drugs and doesn’t cheat. He’s overall a really nice guy – and just what Cheryl needs as a friend right now.”