Cheryl Cole: This horror photo of my dead junkie pal put me off drugs for life

The tragic image behind X Factor star's anti-drugs crusade

Image Flag

THE shocking picture above of a dead heroin junkie is what turned X Factor judge Cheryl Cole into a staunch anti-drugs crusader.

For the tragic victim curled up on a grubby carpet-still clutching the needle that killed him-was one of the Girls Aloud star's closest friends.

Talented Geordie footballer John Courtney had been tipped as the next Alan Shearer before heroin took over his life.

His undignified death-shirt off and his body riddled with tell-tale track marks-had a massive impact on Cheryl.

She had always opposed drugs. But that image of friend John-taken by police and released as a warning by his family-sparked renewed zeal, and an outspoken attack on junkie celebrities like rocker Pete Doherty flaunting their deadly habits.

VIDEO: Watch our exclusive interviews with the finalists

Cheryl, 25, admits: "It put me off for life. That nightmare devastated all John's family and friends. Seeing him in a coffin was terrible.

"And then to see pictures of Doherty glamorising the habit, and with Kate Moss on his arm, too. It makes me sick. Heroin is Devil's dust. It ruins lives and families and everything it touches."

Pop beauty Cheryl's close bond with tragic addict John is revealed in a new book charting the singer's incredible rise to fame from a poor Tyneside council estate.

HAPPIER TIMES: At 18 John was laughing
HAPPIER TIMES: At 18 John was laughing

Cheryl Cole: The Unauthorised Biography tells all about her tough upbringing. Like many kids growing up in Heaton, Cheryl was exposed to drugs from a young age, but always said no.

She reveals: "There were lots of users in my area. Heroin was there for the taking. I could easily have taken that route if I'd wanted to.

"But I always maintained my ambition and I'm proud of myself."

The singer-who as Cheryl Tweedy shot to fame on reality TV show Popstars: The Rivals in 2002- first met John at school when they were teenagers. A talented footballer at 17, he was tipped to follow his Newcastle heroes Shearer and Paul Gascoigne into the big time.

But those dreams were shattered when he left school, got hooked on heroin and turned to crime to feed his £90-a-day habit. He was arrested and jailed for stealing.

Cheryl was distraught when she learned her pal had succumbed to the lure of killer smack.

Begging

The news came as Girls Aloud were making it big, But Cheryl took time out to pay an emotional visit to John's house pleading for him to quit. While there she wrote him a heartfelt letter reminding him of the lives he was destroying and begging him to save his own.

John's mum Angie, 49, recalls: "He kept the note on his wall to remind him he had to keep battling." But Cheryl's efforts were in vain. On April 2, 2005, three weeks after his release from jail, John injected himself with heroin for the last time. His body was found curled up on the floor of his uncle's flat.

Grief-stricken Cheryl immediately sent floral tributes to John's parents and six sisters. Mum Angie said: "Cheryl's were among the first to arrive. This just shows how down to earth she is and how she'll never forget her roots.

"And to hear her speak out about drugs was fantastic. I just wish more celebrities would do it."

ROAD TO RUIN: dead at 21 with needle in hand
ROAD TO RUIN: dead at 21 with needle

Cheryl, who married Chelsea and England defender Ashley Cole in a star-studded £1 million ceremony in 2006, has come a long way fast.

Girls Aloud have had 18 consecutive Top 10 singles, including three number ones. And now Cheryl is a massive hit on the X Factor.

But astonishingly, Cheryl reveals that if she hadn't made it as a pop star she'd have tried to become a CSI-style investigator instead. She is fascinated by the work and dreamed of solving gruesome murders. "If I'd had a sensible head on my shoulders when I was at school I'd have loved to have gone into forensic detective work," she says.

Click here to see photos of Chery Cole

"I'd have loved it. I find it fascinating, like which way the blood is splattered and stuff."

Sadly Cheryl struggled at school. "I once got into a fight with a guy. He spat at me so I slapped him and we both got suspended."

She then landed a two-week suspension for swearing on a bus. It was no surprise when she left at 16 with few qualifications.

Gang

"I was awful at school," she admits. "My headmaster said, 'It'll be interesting to see what you do in your life, Miss Tweedy.' "

And, by Cheryl's own admission, her turnaround in fortune is nothing short of a miracle given her tough childhood. "When I was growing up I didn't have a clue about anything," she confesses.

"All I knew was going to school and going back home, not always being able to have dinner, not knowing why we were so skint, just assuming that's the way things had to be." But as a teenager she soon found her own ways to have fun. Mum Joan was strict about staying out late or allowing boys to stay over. But 16-year-old Cheryl had other ideas.

She'd tell Mum she was heading to a friend's house for a sleepover then meet up with a gang of mates for a night out under the stars. "I'd camp out," she says. "A tent full of boys and a tent full of girls."

When a girfriend came to stay, the pair would say goodnight to the family, head up to the bedroom and change from pyjamas into T-shirts and tracksuit bottoms ready to sneak out and hit the town at 2am.

It worked a treat until Joan twigged and caught her in the act. "She went mad-and nearly tore my head off," laughs Cheryl.

As a teen beauty she was always a hit with boys. But when she quit school at 16 and landed a job waitressing at a cafe she attracted unwanted attention. At first Cheryl thought her admirer was nice but she got the creeps when the customer revealed a strange fetish. . .

Cheryl said: "He started asking to look at my feet. He was about 30, sweaty, and had spit in the corner of his mouth. I just ran home!"

CHERYL COLE: Her Story-The Unauthorised Biography by Gerard Sanderson (Michael O'Mara Books, £18.99). Save money and order for £17.09 (with FREE P & P) from notwbookshop.co.uk or 08700 707717.

Toffs wreck star's ballet dream

AS a youngster Cheryl dreamed of becoming a ballerina. But those hopes were dashed by a gaggle of stuck-up posh girls who reduced the council house kid to tears every night.

LITTLE PRINCESS: Cheryl dreamt of becoming a ballerina
LITTLE PRINCESS: Cheryl dreamt of becoming a ballerina

Cheryl was just nine when against the odds she beat 5,000 other hopefuls to win a coveted summer school place at London's Royal Ballet School in London.

Dad Garry, a painter, and mum Joan were too skint to afford the £300 fee for the two-week trial which could have led to five years at the prestigious academy, so they organised a whip-round until a kindly sponsor chipped in the full amount.

But when Cheryl got to the grand 18th Century home of the Royal Ballet in Richmond Park she was suddenly thrust into a very different world.

She recalls: "I wanted to go home straight away. Everyone was prim and proper and I was a Geordie from a council estate."

Shunned by the other girls who looked down on her clothes, Cheryl cried herself to sleep at nights.

And although she excelled in class she turned her back on the ballet. "It shattered my dreams," she says.

Your comments

This article has 98 comments

oh cheryl you're the BEST!!! you had the same birthday as me..so happy birthday to us when our birthday comes...i really wish that i can see you in real life..you're my NO1 FAN!!!

By . Posted November 5 2009 at 9:06 PM.

i love CHERYL she is so cute and is so sexy

By ryan. Posted November 2 2009 at 2:11 PM.

i love cheryl cole she is sweet cheeky and could winthe x factor any time

By lucy. Posted October 31 2009 at 12:56 PM.

I love cherly Cole she is so amazing!!!!

By lucy. Posted October 29 2009 at 6:17 PM.

LUVVVVV U CHERYL FOREV AND ALWAYS AND I REALY HOPE I GET TO MEET U ONE TIME LUV U MORE THAAN ANYTHING PLZZ RITE BK XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

By sherridan . Posted October 29 2009 at 4:20 PM.

cheryl plz rite bk i love youuu xxxxxxx

By sherridan. Posted October 28 2009 at 4:00 PM.

cheryl ur my hero nobody loves u as much has i do ur the best ur soo preiiy and a jenuroues person i really want to meet u it wudd be my dream cumm true ur the best peron i luv u soo muchh i am 14 and a girll lol love youuu xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

By sherridan . Posted October 28 2009 at 3:35 PM.

i (L) Cheryl Cole. I cant believe she wanted to ballerina! Wow. lool
xxx

By Lucy. Posted October 28 2009 at 3:33 PM.

Cherly is a G :)

By Indian G. Posted October 28 2009 at 2:20 PM.

plzz read these comments am sending cheryl and plz can i meet u love youuu xxxxxxx

By sherridan. Posted October 28 2009 at 3:05 PM.

cheryl cole is the hottest girl alive :) well done for pushing through hard times and still coming out successful xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

By ColinSpiers. Posted October 27 2009 at 9:38 PM.

I LOVE CHERYL! =D She is an amazing person and great role modle KEEP IT UP! love youu!!!!=D

By Shelby. Posted October 22 2009 at 8:24 PM.

cheryl u loook great me and ma friend are such big fans and we think u look outstanding we think we could follow ur ceria love ya

By steph and megan . Posted October 22 2009 at 11:07 AM.

cheryl is a great singer she is da best you gonna win xfactor again

By lucy . Posted October 19 2009 at 5:49 PM.

Who told Cheryl Cole she could sing! It was painful to watch! Simon gave her great comments to make her feel better after such bad press during the week. Cheryl should stick to presenting and leave the singing to people who can sing! They should be honest with her and tell her she can't sing. I felt sorry for her. Some of the contestants sang better than her.


By G Stopani. Posted October 19 2009 at 5:14 PM.

OMG!!!! when people are like i am the biggest cheryl cole fan ever i feel like nowone knows you better then i du .if i saw you i would probally be speechless and faint you are the best role model ever and i would do anything for you or to c u as u are part of my life and my friends are always like is cheryl cole all you ever go on about and i am like yes it is and i beleive that i am your bigggggeeeesssst fan eeeeeeeevvvvvvvvveeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrrrr .I LUV THE BONES OFF YOU CHERYL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I LUV CHERYL COLE 4 EVER IDSTxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx OR AND I AM A GEORDIE GO GEORDIE CHERYL WOOP WOOP xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

By Laura Pledger. Posted October 17 2009 at 4:22 PM.

i love cheryl cole soo much i wana meet her one day:) shes my favourite celeb and i think she a gr8 role model,, especially for me anyway:D
i love you i wana life like yours. your living your dream. i think your so amazing and your just gr8 babe,, keep doin your thing... i loveyouuu xxx

By simone_cherylxxx. Posted October 14 2009 at 3:28 PM.

chery cole is a pley Rebecca and Rachel and mam and Liz and l leve for rebecca and Rachel and mam and Liz and me and Rebecca and Racheland mam and Liz

By rebecca. Posted October 13 2009 at 8:24 AM.

chery cole you r good for Rebecca and Rachel and mam and Liz and you good girls aloud and x factor Ps chery cole l live for Rebecca and Rachel and mam and Liz xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

By rebecca office. Posted October 13 2009 at 8:21 AM.

Omg! I know people say they r cheryls biggest fan but I actually Am!!! love u always cheryl darling xxx if I met u it would make my life worth living. It ain't an obbession it is a passion I love u cheryl babiee xxxx noone will ever make me hate u nothing anyone says. Xxxx <3

By Gemma. Posted October 10 2009 at 12:27 PM.

i love cheryl cole. she is a fantatic role model and seems such a sincere, down to earth person.

By Rachael. Posted October 4 2009 at 7:15 PM.

love cheral

By Sophia todd. Posted October 4 2009 at 9:21 AM.

all i can say is i love you sooooooooooo much words cant describe
loveuuuuu xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

By simone_cherylxxx. Posted October 3 2009 at 11:44 PM.

Cheyl is an outstanding women she may have come for a very very bad bk ground its not her or her familt forlt for any of this look where she is now and all my m8s bum of her i will love to meet her one day.I was the sme and now i live in a kool and nice area so cheryl put things behind that what i did big cheryl we all love ya xxxxxx

By lauren . Posted October 2 2009 at 10:56 PM.

omg cheryl cole is my alltime idol love yhuu cheryl kate xxxxxxxxxxxxxx

By katie . Posted September 24 2009 at 8:25 PM.

Hello:)i think cheryls the most AMAZIN women in the world! shes so pretty! and who ever hates her there CRAZY! she my idol forever :) i look up to you! shes so funny aswell :) Shes a MASSIVE inspirstion too me :) im So obsessed with her trust me! and it would be my dream to meet you and the other girls ! I would LOVE too :) LOVEYOUCHERYL <3 No1 Fan xx

By Becky.. Posted September 23 2009 at 9:53 PM.

I love Cheryl Cole so much she is absoloutly amazing! I cant beleive how far she's come in life. She seems such a down to earth, sweet, caring, loving person, i would die to meet her! She's my biggest inspiration and role model and she's so beautiful! .xx

By Sophie Giles. Posted September 21 2009 at 5:08 PM.

I too am from Newcastle except I come from High Heaton not Heaton but I know people who come from there. I have a friend who lives on Holystone Cresent and they've had similar problems but they go to Heaton Manor not Walker. I feel sorry for Cheryl becuase of her background but I'm really pleased for her too because she has turned her life around and deserves everything she has. YOU ARE MY IDOL CHERYL AND ID LOVE TO MEET YOU SOME TIME. xx

By zoe.eeee. Posted September 6 2009 at 10:59 PM.

who doesnt love cheryl cole?
she is my role model + i love her to bits..
she is such an inspiration 2 me and i really want 2 meet her :D
email me bak
xxxxxx

By jess. Posted September 5 2009 at 10:17 PM.

Who ever DOSEN'T like cheryl cole then you are mad, cheryl is my biggest idol ever she is such an isparation to me & she always will be, i will LOVE to meet her one day ; Love Ya Chezza xxxxxxxxxxx

By Abbie Thompson. Posted August 31 2009 at 6:23 PM.

ive went to the echo arina and saw girls aloud and she rocks i would love to meet cheryl and the gils one day because i think she is my idle and ro model !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! byexxxx

By jade caveney . Posted August 30 2009 at 9:39 PM.

aawwww how come you never showed me this pic its lovley how old were you because emma showed me a copple of your wizzord of oz show!see you on saturday!xxbuy the way i saw ashley at the chelse thinngi on tuesday!xxlove you so muchxx

By sarah tweedy age 12. Posted August 26 2009 at 8:49 PM.

It is very disturbing seeing the pictures of the drugies but i loved cheryls autobiography its really great to read

By Sammi x . Posted August 17 2009 at 2:09 PM.

The dream came true for me when i met Cheryl after the concert on June 5th. I was so starstruck i started to cry and wish i could re live this moment over and over again, im determined it will happen again. Shes the most pretty, down to earth girl ever! Cheryl you are amazing and i love you!

By Rhianne. Posted August 13 2009 at 4:28 PM.

I don't think Cherly can sing.However she has the looks and made something for her life. She should not forget where she came from. She should support the youth in her home time by give them funding to say at school and make life for themself. Drugs is a issue in every commuity but more so with the poor because they need more oppourity in life and at times the poor people are allways put down some have little education no jobs and the face discrinmation every day by socity.

By molly. Posted August 10 2009 at 1:41 PM.

i really want 2 meet cheryl and everyone else in girls aloud but especially cheryl i wet 2 her concerton june 5th and i really want 2 meet her in person i hpoe she reads this and send me an email because i also want to write 2 her bye

By elisha. Posted August 10 2009 at 11:39 AM.

i think cheryl is amazing and i love her! i really want to meet her some time, it would b amazing!!!!!

By Ali. Posted August 7 2009 at 7:48 PM.

Hello Cheryl, you are a massive inspiration to me you really are. And you have had such an amazing life since being on popstars the rivals when you was on 19 till this day .. You don't no how badly i wan't to meet you ; hope i do one day soon .. you are such a hardworking woman. I just wish i was alexandra burke because alex and yourself had a strong relationship and everything that went on between you to on the x factor. I wan't to be you xx .. who ever doesn't like cheryl then you are all just MAD. Love yaa Chezza xxxxxx

By Abbie Thompson. Posted July 24 2009 at 1:56 PM.

i think Chery Cole is alright :D. Shes good role-model.She has been exelent whilst shes been in girl Aloudd. Her past isnt very good but whos is...? She is quiet skiiny but that doesnt revolve around her being a good role-model. Shes not worser than any other celebrity all celebritys have a dark past....x

By fatti hahahah:D. Posted May 11 2009 at 10:16 AM.

cheryls my idol and i think its amazin what shes doing! she's got a real talent and she's worked hard for what she has, and call her a WAG all you want, because to be honest she dosen't need Ashleys money or status...she's got her own! and for all you jelous people commenting this, if you don't like her, why are you reading this ?!? haa theres some stupid fowlk. + good luck to ya Cheryl lass! you deserve it (: lots of love gabby. xxx

By Gabz.. Posted April 8 2009 at 10:40 AM.

I love Cheryl cole so much she is my idol. I was shocked to hear that she had problems at school and got suspended twice then got barley any grades. I have got lots of problems and I have done similar things too. I can tbelive vcat has spoken to Cheryl and met Cheryl i am her no.1 fan.
keep goin Cheryl no matter what and u should not have let those man girls chase away your dream in ballet. go for it and try again.
your no.1 fan luv u emily james

By Emily James. Posted February 27 2009 at 3:53 PM.

Look... Cheryl is my idol and just got on with her life and lived her dream. Just because she does wear fake tan she actually is doing something for charity which is climbing Mount. Kiji in Africa - putting her life at risk... Just because she has money and a rich hubby doesn't mean she's stuck up and a D-List celebrity. Cheryl is a member of one of the most successful bands in history from the Spice Girls and Brit Award winner of the best single.

Love you Cheryl xxxx

By Charlotte. Posted February 23 2009 at 6:23 PM.

i absulutely love cheryl cole shes my idol !!! that first comment by alison whoever is obviosly the jelouse one :L !!! cheryl coles soo sweet and gorgeous if i grow up to be anything like her il be the happiest girl alive shes lovely and a star x x x

By lucy. Posted February 17 2009 at 6:25 PM.

NICE

By REBECCA. Posted February 16 2009 at 8:51 AM.

i hate cheryl cole she is such a bad role models for young women, her weight is discusting and she keeps saying she's down to earth, of a council estate grow up cheryl ppl don't want to feel sorry for ya your a stuck up cow, who thinks she will be remembered. few years time no one will remember her. She is also a very jealous woman who thinks she's got what every woman wants um NO just the money love.

By alison. Posted February 13 2009 at 12:44 PM.

I love cheryl :) I've met her a few times and I think she's absolutely wonderful. Go Cheryl!! xx

By Ayssa Cole ( Not related to her in any way). Posted February 9 2009 at 9:54 PM.

I love cheryl she is so sweet i really want to meet her one day please cheryl xxxx

By natasha. Posted January 7 2009 at 6:51 PM.

you know, just to add to the last comment i posted, i hadnt actually read the rest on the page. and yeah, you say we dont know her family and background so how do we know she is lovely and kind-hearted and not fake? because she proves herself, all she is set out to do is help people, inspire others, live her life. she got married and wants a family, gorgeous babies, and i dont think for one moment that any of you who have commented awful things wouldnt love the life she is living, the fame and money has to go to someone, so why not cheryl? she sure deserves it, actually, she deserves is more than any of the other celebritys mentioned for example charlotte church, who we hear slag off more people on the charlotte church show in one night than iv heard cheryl slag off in the whole time shes been famous. plus, danni minogue can not sing better than girls aloud at all. if cheryl is fake, danii isnt even on this planet she can barely smile from all the botox. so please, if your just commenting for the simple fact of being totally harsh and skitting cheryl, i wouldnt bother. put it this way, love her or hate her - its still an obsession :)!xxxxxxx

By JORDYN LOWES. Posted December 10 2008 at 9:13 PM.

im from northeast too and cheryl has inspired the majority of people up here, she is our angel of the north. she is by far the best thing that newcastle ever had. i feel so sorry for her as a child, the way she couldn't afford even the basic things like shopping and clothes, it does break peoples hearts to read about, especially her friend who got in with the wrong crowd, because thats what happens and we need people like cheryl to speak out instead of people like amy winehouse setting the example like she does. its like an advert for drugs, us teenagers who are obsessed with pop and fame think it is clever to do the things our role models do, and to be fair its not right is it? the success and fame cheryl has gained couldn't have happened to a more nicer person. ive seen her in concert, the tangled up tour and im going to see her again in june at newcastle:) i really cant understand how she keeps a brave face on all of the time, all the things going on in her life and things from the past. im so glad her and ashley have sorted things out, it broke everyones heart to see her sing robyn's song 'and it hurts with every heartbeat' and burst out crying. all i can say is keep your chin up babe no one could ever inspire as many people you have inspired, or do the things you do! we know who our true role models are dont we lasses? its the true geordie people like chezza who influence us in the best way ever! love you chez.xx

By jordyn l. Posted December 10 2008 at 8:16 PM.

Cherly is Such an Insepation To me. I Live in Newcastle Too Near where she did.I Have Had The same problems at school too,and friends and stuff.
i cart belive she gave up on that dream. i will never give up on my dream,Shes such a role Model
Love Ya Cherly..Come on the Geordies Lols x

By Ellie. Posted December 7 2008 at 11:14 PM.

I love you cheryl xxxxx

By Mark Banks. Posted November 30 2008 at 6:19 PM.

yeah, after i hav read all of this is makes me think she isn't that great but she has a great fashion sense and she is really pretty . also she is good on the x-factor and shes the only reason some people watch it. she has like seemed to get every1 under the cheryl cole "charm" cos we're all obessed about everythin about her. she is my role model!

By lizzie v . Posted November 26 2008 at 3:19 PM.

I think Cheryl Cole is a lovely person. Girls Aloud are the best band she is so pretty. She has struggled in the past but hopefully has put that behinde her. I love Cheryl so much she is a good person. I Love you Cheryl xx

By Isabella Dayas. Posted November 24 2008 at 5:44 PM.

I love Cheryl i think shes amazing. Its really sad to hear about all that. I've met her a couple of times she is really sweet. Plus i think shes stunning :) Shes my role model i absolutely love her! XX

By Bexx. Posted November 22 2008 at 12:37 AM.

note to persons comment at top of page!...
everyone is aloud a chance, you are clearly jelous of cheryl!
she is fab!! and your clearly dumb is you dont see that.
well done cheryl! keep up the good work, you are a great role model :)
YOU ARE A LIVING LEGEND CHERYL COLE!!!!!


By rachael. Posted November 16 2008 at 3:27 PM.

how the hell is this silly mare a role model its about time this country woke up and realised that these talentless nobodies are just that, nobodies, inspiration my arse, i'm sorry but what does she do, nothing, she was in a third rate band that can't write its own songs, can't sing, married a footballer, (how damn orginal) and is proclaimed a hero because she comes from a bad estate. well whooppee, big deal, so what, sorry love if you want us to feel you've done something why dont you put some of your 'easy earned' money into youth projects in your old town and make a difference, but no, there wouldnt be a story in that would there. sorry love you make me vomit.

By zendog. Posted November 12 2008 at 2:15 AM.

i think cheryl is alrite she,s a bit to skinny and got a massive head she looks a bit like a barbie doll.
but she is always fair when it comes to the x factor.

By esther seivwright. Posted November 5 2008 at 2:50 PM.

Cheryl cole is so pretty ill love 2 lk like her wen im older. I do feel sorry 4 her coz she has had a bad yr so far! I lv u cheryl!!!.x

By Emma. Posted November 1 2008 at 8:35 PM.

cheryl is a full on geordie like me and she is my ultimate roll model i have always dreamt of meating her and getting her autograph. she is so pretty and her personality and the way she acts is the way i do to so it must be a geordie thing!
her old head teacher is the kind i have and i would have told him were to get off if he said that to me, cheryl you have made you life a living dream, good on you. YOU RULE!
love ya lots
chelsea x

By chelsea . Posted October 30 2008 at 5:46 PM.

I think Cheryl Cole is such a good role model for all teenagers because it shows that whatever background you come from, you can still achieve what you want to achieve. I mean, look at Cheryl, she was living in a coucil estate and got suspended from school twice, but she has managed to change her life around and now she is living the dream.
Keep going Cheryl !!
xx

By Alii. Posted October 30 2008 at 1:57 PM.

you go girl

By linda. Posted October 27 2008 at 1:55 PM.

i think cheryl is stunning and girls aloud have made sum bril songs. she is so much better looking than plastic minogue.

By tracey c. Posted October 27 2008 at 11:45 AM.

hope Cheryl Cole wins the x factor this year she has a really good group

By jenevieve. Posted October 22 2008 at 9:36 PM.

i love girls aloud they are wicked and i have met cheryl and nicola once but i didnt speke to them just gt nicolas signiture coz she went my school st chads its ****,i would love to meet cheryl cole again and get a pic wiff her she is so dwn to earth and so funny and cockey and thats wot i like about her she is wicked :) she is abousutly stunning. and she deserves everything she has gt ect: money,ASHLEY,and her career . from tasha bennett from runcorn haha CHERYL IS AMAZING AND I LOVE HER SHE IS CLASS .CHERYL RULES !!!!

By Natasha Bennett from RUNCORN haha . Posted October 22 2008 at 12:56 PM.

haha i think cheryl cole is amazing and stunning and she is soooo looky to have a sexy husband like ashley cole. she desevers him but he does not deserve her. i mean cum on look at wot she has done wiff her life it is amazing . she is the only reason y ppl watch the X factor. haha CHERYL COLE RULES !!!!

By Natasha Bennett . Posted October 22 2008 at 12:49 PM.

To Alex who was going on about people can't hate her if they don't know her. Then how can you say she is nice if you don't know her its the same. How the frig does she even seem nice to people who thinks she is, she always slags people off and fights with them. That is not a nice person.

By Mel. Posted October 21 2008 at 9:11 PM.

I Love Cheryl Cole

By Manfred Marfo. Posted October 20 2008 at 10:39 AM.

The spice girls used machines to alter their pitch on stage just in case they hit any wrong notes. Girls aloud might do the same. What some people fail to understand is that we are all human, we all have bad days and so do they. Up to now Cheryl seems very nice and polite on the x factor, shes done well for herself.

By JJ. Posted October 20 2008 at 1:43 AM.

I don't see how anyone can slag Cheryl off when they don't know even know her - you are just pathetic really.

I love Cheryl, she's so down to earth and makes the X Factor much more fun and entertaining. :) She's amazing and a great singer. I love Girls Aloud, they're fantastic.

So don't hate Cheryl if you don't know her, it just shows how sad, pathetic and jealous you are.

By Alex. Posted October 19 2008 at 3:17 PM.

some false n have a dig, at cheryl her heart is strong as we canny tern the clock back hope she does more on drugs takes so many people;/ awe the best fi edinburgh scotland

By daywalker. Posted October 18 2008 at 6:12 AM.

Cheryl Cole is a absolute knob! Ive read in the past about her going on about Pete Doherty and saying his music is **** well im sorry but if she can sya that about him she must not listen to that noise she creates with lyrics which don't mean a thing. What Pete writes is amazing and has meaing to it compared to her ****. And shes going on about the fact he "glamorizies" drugs, how the frig does he? What about all the other people who are on it kate moss for example yeno just start on Pete because hes in the papers he doenst ask to be. He has real talent not her. Girls aloud are just a **** manufactured band who are a waste of space and not even worht listening to.

By Mel. Posted October 17 2008 at 11:03 PM.

As harsh as it sounds, nobody cared about Cheryl Cole before her husband cheated on her, any opinion there was was that she was a gobby, bossy and bratty d-list celebrity. Since that happened, and i do sympathise with the woman, she's suddenly a freaking role model for everybody. She was recently quoted that 2008 was the best year of her life..... wonder why that is???

By al.. Posted October 17 2008 at 8:09 PM.

I think anyone that keeps on saying nasty things about her should shut up as what right do they have to comment about her life?

clearly any normal person would see she went through a bad time ah does not need anyone else saying bad things to make her feel even worse. every thing bad you say about her is just what you have read in the paper or whatever it does not mean that is true ?


i think cheryl is lovely looking and one of the most nicest looking women in Britain at the moment!

By Dee. Posted October 17 2008 at 4:31 PM.

Cheryl Cole is a joke along with her girl band.
A lot of the comments about how successful they are, what they aren't successful.
18 top ten hits in the UK, 4 million records cold, 3 number 1's?
Compared to the sugababes 10 million albums alone sold and 6 number 1's (not including the number 1s theyve had abroad in places like Japan and Germany).
And lets not forget the UKs true MOST successful girl group the Spice Girls NINE UK number 1's and Wannabe alone sold 6 million singles.
Album sales of over 55 million worldwide with only 3 albums released whereas girls aloud have released 6 albums! lol

She is a joke who disses other TALENTED, SUCCESSFUL woman because they might not be mainstream good looking such as Lily Allen and Charlotte Church.
Both have had worldwide success! Charlotte having sold twice what girls aloud have by the age of 16 and Lily's debut album selling half of their total sales with one album.

Dannii Minogue is a much better judge, better musician (she writes and produces music) and better vocalist (take a listen to Disrembrance or All i wanna, dont judge Dannii if you havent heard her)!

And how is some size zero, fake tanned, air head who pretends to sing songs written by talented producers and taking her kit of being talented.


By Stanstan. Posted October 16 2008 at 10:35 PM.

yes she has really upset the people of heaton in our local paper tonight if you dont know her or her family how can you say you like her you like what you see and here on tv

By susan. Posted October 16 2008 at 9:00 PM.

i think she absolutely beautiful,intelligent and sexy..

By apple,UK. Posted October 15 2008 at 11:05 PM.

Susan, with due respect the fact that your daughter didnt say anyth about drugs doesn't mean they didnt exist.
And it is frankly horrifying how some people (including some on here) are incapable of being happy if they are not slagging off someone else, or pulling someone else down. I suppose that's why some people never succeed.

By Esther. Posted October 14 2008 at 4:21 PM.

As a teenager, i really look up to both cheryl and girls aloud and to me she is a great role model. so many people say bad thing sabout her and say its all an act well im sorry but its not she is a real, genuine person with a big heart and for someone like her to talk against drungs is amazing i wish her look to it and for everyone who is sayin negative things about her well your just jelous of what she has made of her life well done cheryl x

By danielle. Posted October 13 2008 at 3:16 PM.

Cherly u ROCK!! :)

By Chelsie. Posted October 12 2008 at 11:48 PM.

I think you are absolutely wonderful in all you do with X factor but your choice of a partner is puzzling.

By julian woodcock.. Posted October 12 2008 at 11:53 PM.

Well I think cheryl is a great role model for young girls she comes across down to earth, friendly, really genuine and shes really hard working that's why she is were she is! she may have lost alot of weight recently but she is only human when stressfull events happen in life that is the effect it can have on the body.

Britains proud to have cheryl!

By janice mccormick. Posted October 12 2008 at 10:58 PM.

u should be worried who ashley is going 2 bed next get a grip love

By paul . Posted October 12 2008 at 10:14 PM.

i love girls aloud and i think any person that gets to do well with a talent they have deserve all the nice things in life they work hard to get where they are today despite their background i just wish i had the looks and could sing too

By sally. Posted October 12 2008 at 7:39 PM.

The truble is when someone such as Cheryl makes
a success of her life, there are always people prepared to knock them for what they have achieved . I think it's called jealousy,good luck to her i say.

By Ian. Posted October 12 2008 at 3:41 PM.

Its all am act from her. I have no time for her whats so ever....

By Woody. Posted October 12 2008 at 1:00 PM.

She is a pretty girl and i like the fact that she has taken a stance against drugs.
Can she now take a stance against extreme weight loss because some of her pics she looks SKELETON. Take a stance against all addictions as being too skinny can KILL to

By Spicy. Posted October 12 2008 at 1:14 PM.

"Cheryl reveals that if she hadn’t made it as a pop star she’d have tried to become a CSI-style investigator instead."

Uh, Cheryl, you have to be intelligent to do that.....you are not intelligent.

By Andria. Posted October 12 2008 at 1:08 PM.

Cheryl - a good judge??? She crys, thats why people love her. There is no other reason! She has nothing good to say. Infact she always says the same thing. Last nights live show really showed her up!

By Emily Steer. Posted October 12 2008 at 1:25 PM.

There have been so many rumours, half truths, re-hashed stories and innaccuracies reported about Cheryl and her bandmates since Girls Aloud were formed around six years ago that these sorts of stories are nothing new. Only when the members give live Radio or TV interviews should these 'exclusives' be given any credibility. The fact is that Cheryl and Girls Aloud have always been anti-drugs;even commenting on the subject recently in connection with the Amy Winehouse situation.

I would also add that Cheryl and the rest of Girls Aloud get involved in charity work, both individually and collectively, which is often not reported in the national press.The fact that Cheryl uses her celebrity status to try to help others should be commended,not criticised.

By lb. Posted October 12 2008 at 1:21 PM.

i am from sunderland but ever since she has been in girls aloud she has been a star i am only 12 but i think she desverse better than ashely to what he done two her 10 months ago cheryl i love you love marc

By marc ferguson. Posted October 12 2008 at 12:03 PM.

who is she she has been given a chance with her singing and now shes a judge what. she has got a cheek she booted off singers that were better than her she has not got a clue about talent ha ha ha she cant even sing herself

By robbo . Posted October 12 2008 at 11:32 AM.

She seems really genuine and caring, I think that's why females are also drawn to her. And her natural beauty is staggering!!

By jackie. Posted October 12 2008 at 10:58 AM.

i live in walker and hung out in heaton why does she always knock the place drugs are everywhere not just in heaton my daughter went to the same school as cheryl and she never discussed drug but it must be the way diffrent people are brought up

By susan. Posted October 12 2008 at 10:58 AM.

im gay and adore cheryl, i would marry her without doubt, shes unpretencious,and has never forgotten her roots, fame obviously has not changed her.... thank goodness, a real star!!!

By martin clarke. Posted October 12 2008 at 10:00 AM.

if iwas 40yrs younger ashley would have promlems i love her she is brill

By barrie cooper. Posted October 12 2008 at 8:56 AM.

Cheryl is a star; not only pleasing on the eye but a kind nature also. Her only flaw is her husband assley cole

By Al Nelson. Posted October 12 2008 at 8:10 AM.

I've always liked Cheryl and thought she has fantastic empathy on TV. Thanks for this article - has made me happy to know she really is so nice.

By kate. Posted October 12 2008 at 5:55 AM.

i have met & spoken to cheryl & she,s absolutely lovely.
she may have come from a stuggling background but she has not forgotten that, she,s moved on but still holds on to her ordinary upbringing.
god bless her i think she is an inspirstion & a role model to every " ordinary person " out there.
CHERYL rules !!!!!!!

By vcat@43. Posted October 12 2008 at 2:37 AM.

Post your comment here

We have to check every comment before we can allow it to be published. But don't worry, we've got a team on it 24/7 - so check back soon! Please note that we cannot publish all comments received. The editor's decision is final. Please note that your email address will not be displayed next to your comment.