Wednesday, 15 October 2008

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Is Ashley holding Cheryl Cole back?

Cheryl's career is soaring, but Ashley may ruin her dream of them being the new Beckhams

Cheryl has started wearing her wedding ring again

As an X Factor judge, Cheryl Cole’s place as the nation’s No 1 sweetheart seems cemented.

She’s adored by the public and has plans to do more modelling, produce her own fashion range and take up other TV roles.

But as 25-year-old Cheryl’s star ascends, her shamed husband Ashley is shunning the limelight as much as possible and sources close to the couple say he could derail her ambitions for a ‘Brand Cole’ similar to Brand Beckham.

‘Cheryl doesn’t just see them as being a new Posh and Becks – she hopes it will be bigger and better than that,’ a close friend tells Now . ‘She’s ambitious and the sky’s the limit.

‘Her looks could help her cross over to the States – so long as they can understand her accent, but that’s softened. Girls Aloud aren’t well-known there, but she was in Will.i.am’s Heartbreaker video and Simon Cowell’s almost certainly going to get her on American Idol.’

Backstage at Naomi Campbell's Fashion For Relief show in London on 17 September, Cheryl got on well with everyone.

‘She didn’t fuss about getting her own dressing room, unlike some,’ says our source. ‘She was surrounded by men and women alike. Paul Sculfor was among those who took a real shine to her and was talking to her quite a bit.

‘Ashley used to get lots of attention when he was out, especially from women, but the tables have turned now. He’s no David Beckham; he’s never been the golden boy. People found him arrogant before, but now he just prefers to keep out of the limelight.’

See the full story in Now magazine dated 20 October 2008 - out now!