Cheryl Cole Has Reportedly Consulted A Divorce Lawyer
Cheryl Cole Ashley has been in France receiving treatment for his broken ankle over the last few weeks, but returned to Britain on Friday. He travelled to the Surrey mansion he shares with Cheryl to discuss the future of their marriage.
The meeting is believed to have lasted around an hour, and was “calm and civil”, although Cheryl was apparently unprepared to listen to his attempts to reconcile with her. Ashley arrived and packed some of his belongings, before talking to Cheryl.
It has been claimed that shortly after he left Cheryl spoke to Fiona Shackleton, the formidable lawyer who represented Sir Paul McCartney during his divorce from Heather Mills.
Cheryl has apparently been told to start divorce proceedings as quickly as possible, and to expect their assets to be split equally. She will reportedly seek a divorce on the grounds of Ashley’s unreasonable behaviour.
“Cheryl is being told she should not drag this through the courts. Lawyers for Ashley could build a case that she wasn't the perfect wife either,” a source told British newspaper The Daily Mail. “She has hardly seen him for months on end due to work, her mother Joan's presence in the house has hardly been conducive to romance, she might occasionally have been demanding and moody.”
It is expected the pair will sell their Surrey home and share the proceeds. Ashley will keep properties he has in London and Dubai, while Cheryl is expected to get their Chihuahuas Coco and Buster.
It has been claimed Ashley has become increasingly jealous of Cheryl’s relationship with Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am, with who she has recorded a series of tracks. The star recently said he’d be willing to “move to London if it meant being with Cheryl”, leaving Ashley furious.
He has reportedly told pals he and Cheryl often rowed about her relationship with Will.i.am before their split, with Ashley unhappy with the attention the R&B star bestowed on his wife.
The couple met in 2004, and married in a lavish ceremony two years later.
In 2008, Ashley was accused of having a drunken one-night-stand with a hairdresser, with Cheryl so devastated by the claims she removed her wedding ring and didn’t wear it again for eight months.