Thursday Jul 7 2011

Our local celebs give their verdict on the yo-yo relationship that has rocked the showbiz world.

Just when you thought it wasn’t possible to wring another headline from the Cheryl Cole story — and remember, she was contemplating injunctions to protect her privacy just last week — along comes the news that ex-husband Ashley Cole, 30-year-old Chelsea footballer and alleged womaniser of this parish, has asked his former missus to marry him again. This would be the third ring, if the happy couple go ahead with the remarriage, as Cheryl, still only 28, ditched the first £150,000 band when her husband had a fling with a hairdresser and discarded ring number two when Ashley was alleged to have had further affairs. So now the question on everybody’s lips is should she stay away or go back? And can the philandering leopard change his spots.

We all wish Cheryl, our Geordie sweetheart, well. She’s lived the dream of every talented, pretty girl who rose via a group — Girls Aloud — plus a reality TV show — the X Factor — and a svengali — Simon Cowell — to reach the top. Cheryl has said she wants to retire and have a baby. Sound ambitions, but is she wise to go back to her ex? We asked some Northern Irish celebrities their views.

Claire Allan (35) is a novelist from Londonderry who is married with two children. She says:

“She’s just young and loves him. I think Ashley is still a spectacular love rat, it wasn’t a one-off. Apparently, the couple were seeing each other before she went to America. People said theirs was a show marriage, but it wasn’t.

I wouldn’t want to tell her not to go back — until you walk in her Louboutins, you don’t know what it’s like. Give it a go, but a baby shouldn’t be used as sticking plaster.”

Tracey Hall (43) is director of the Style Academy model agency. She is single and lives in Belfast. She says:

“After last week (when one of Tracey’s friends died) I think life’s too short. If she loves him and he loves her, why not? Go with your heart, that’s what I would do.”

Gemma Garrett (29) is a model and fashion writer who lives with husband Andrew Cosgrove in Belfast. She says:

“I’ve met both Cheryl and Ashley Cole. She is a sweetheart and he’s painfully shy. I feel Ashley could have got a bye-ball the first time, after all he has probably known nothing other than ‘yes’ people. But after seeing the pain he put Cheryl through, I’m baffled as to why he would cheat again. Maybe there is something we don't know. After she took a knock with American X Factor, she wanted to feel comfortable with someone. For her, that's Ashley.

Unfortunately my gut tells me he will do it again. But you can’t help who you love, I suppose.”

Lynda Bryans (48) is a TV presenter and lives with her husband Mike Nesbitt in Belfast. She says:

“I don't think we can even pretend to know what goes on inside a marriage so it's hard to know what Cheryl and Ashley are going through. The marriage was over and they are divorced, but maybe they both think there's something worth going back to. Look at Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton — they were the loves of each other’s lives. If they can get the magic back, then why not?”

Joe Lindsay (39) is a DJ and broadcaster. He lives in Belfast with his wife Mary. He says:

“I think what happens in Cheryl and Ashley Cole's relationship should be no-one else's business, but they force it to be.

Cheryl will do anything to get into the news. I'm not a fan of her music and I don't really see the point of her to be honest. If two not very bright people want to live together then who are we to comment about it.

Anyway, who are we to comment on what goes on behind closed doors.”

Anthony Miller (32) is an agony uncle and wedding planner and lives in Antrim. He says:

“As a wedding planner, it's my job to peddle love and marriage, but there comes a time when you must realise that the horse you're flogging is dead. Cheryl should realise that that man is a no-go area and learn from her mistakes.

Divorced couples do sometimes get back together, but even then it can still end in tragedy.

I don't necessarily think that Ashley will cheat again — if he finally realises that it's real love with Cheryl.

However it could be the case that he has no desire to change.”

Pete Snodden (32) presents the breakfast show on Cool FM. He lives in Belfast with his wife Jules. He says:

“Frankly who cares about Cheryl and Ashley Cole? They're not really very newsworthy.

In saying that, though, I don't necessarily think this is a publicity stunt. If you're going to get married to someone in the first place, then they'll probably be your best friend.

When things start to fall by the wayside, like they have done recently for Cheryl, then you tend to go back to your comfort zone.

It could be the case that she's just taking comfort from someone who knows her.”

Kim Lenaghan (forties) presents Arts Extra on BBC Radio Ulster. She is single and lives in Belfast. She says:

“No, no, no, no, no — would anybody say Cheryl should return? If someone isn’t faithful — that’s if we believe the tabloids on Ashley — it’s the classic cliche of a leopard and his spots.

Cheryl changed her hairstyle, because everything went wrong in her life, but it didn’t work. She’s going back to Ashley and it won’t work. Clinging to past happiness isn’t possible, you can only go forward. Poor Cheryl Cole, we’ve all been there.”

Pamela Ballantine (51) is a broadcaster, and lives in Belfast. She says:

“For the first time ever I agreed with Michael Portillo yesterday. Ashley is apparently buying Cheryl a ring that can be seen from space. Portillo has called the pair of them “unembarrassable”.

I find the man a complete a***. He says he wants to be remembered for his football, but he's not going to be. They say leopards don't change their spots so if they do get back together that relationship won't be based on trust. Every time his phone goes she'll be wondering who he's texting now.”

Cathy Martin (35) runs a PR company in Belfast and lives with her husband Julian. She says:

“Leopards don't change their spots, but you never know what's going on behind closed doors. Ashley’s got her at a vulnerable time as she's just been sacked from the American X-Factor, but even so, she's always been a bit insecure.

Before Ashley's infidelities, she was at her most secure with him so she's probably running back to that comfort. I think it's a bit of a break from Simon Cowell too — he was one of the people who encouraged her to move on from her marriage.

I don't think Cheryl will want this reconciliation publicised — after all she did go into hiding after her sacking from the X Factor. If their relationship is to work, then it will require a lot of hard work and it will depend on whether or not she can forgive him.”

Mary Johnston (60) is a married journalist with four children and a granddaughter. She says:

“I reckon as a role model to millions of young girls, Cheryl’s move sends out a bad example. However, she never stopped loving Ashley or at least fancying him and she can't help herself in this respect.

She deserves some happiness. In spite of her millions, she never really looks happy. She may well suffer again due to his infidelity, but I hope not.”

Michelle McTernan (37) is a PR director and lives with her husband in Belfast. She says:

“Cheryl definitely shouldn’t go back to Ashley. Once a cheat, always a cheat and Ashley was caught out several times, I think, so it wasn’t just a drunken one-night stand.

It takes two to make a relationship and he has used the fact she’s feeling vulnerable and insecure at the moment.

If she’s done this to start a family, it’s a mistake as a baby should be brought into a secure marriage.

Of course I wish them well, but I think you’ll be phoning me again once their marriage falls apart the second time.

Jennifer Gilmour (25) is DUP councillor for Holywood and North Down, and lives with her husband in east Belfast. She says:

“At the end of the day, Cheryl and Ashley Cole are just another set of people. There’s too much media emphasis on them when every day, people face marital difficulties without the spotlight being put on them.

It’s the life they’ve chosen to lead and they have to deal with the consequences.

Other people separate, then get back together, and won’t be promoting and celebrating their new marriage.”

Shantala Porter (33) is manager of Pose Models and Promotions. She is single and lives in Belfast. She says:

“I feel sorry for Cheryl Cole. She obviously loves Ashley Cole very much as she has continuously forgiven him for bad behaviour.

It’s easy for people to judge and say that she is foolish for giving him a second and third chance, but often love can be blind and people in love can believe what they want to or what suits them of their partner.

Ashley clearly loves her too, so I really hope that he has changed and that they live happily ever after.”

Linda Cowan is a single therapist who lives in Londonderry. She says:

“I think it’s lovely they are trying to make another go of their marriage and sort out their issues.

From a professional standpoint, it is hard to say exactly what they should do without knowing everything that has happened.

I would suggest counselling for both of them.

As a couple they need to resolve the issues that caused them to split up in the first place to prevent a pattern in behaviour emerging.

I understand Cheryl's self esteem must be very low, but friends and family should support her in her decision.”

Priscilla Salmon (fifties) is married and mother of Zoe and Lara Salmon. She lives in Bangor. She says:

“Recently I’ve noticed that Cheryl seems to have been regretting not going back to Ashley.

If he’s interested in getting back with her, and he is, they should talk about it first.

They need to see how this second chance goes and take it slowly.

My daughters don’t need to consult me on relationships, as they’re very happy.”

Clare Bailey (41) is Green Party spokesperson. She is single and lives in Belfast with her two children. She says:

“Cheryl is a tricky one, she is sort of held up as a role model for young girls and I don't think getting back together with a cheating husband is really a good thing for teenage girls to see. I have a teenage daughter and I would never want her to go back to a husband like Ashley.

Although I think people can grow and change, I really do think he'll cheat again and there won't be a happy ever after.

Cheryl has sort of been rejected by Simon Cowell and now she is turning to her ex-husband, but she can get a hug from her family or friends. She doesn't have to go back to someone like him.”

Sam Gray (20) is a full-time model who lives in Moira. She says:

“I’m a bit or a romantic so I think they should make another go of it and not just walk away. The fact that they were married changes things, I think, because they owe it to each other to try again. He’s obviously won her over again and although they aren't going to develop trust overnight, if it makes them happy, they should go for it.

If I was in her shoes I would forgive him, because of all they have been through.”

Interviews by Jane Hardy, Kerry McKittrick and Laura McGarrity