Cheryl, formerly known as Cheryl Cole, has enjoyed an extraordinary career as a member of Girls Aloud, a solo recording artist, and one of Britain’s most recognizable television personalities. Alongside her professional achievements, her relationships have frequently attracted public attention.
Many people searching for “Cheryl Cole ex-husband” are surprised to learn that Cheryl has been married twice. Her former husbands are Ashley Cole, the former England footballer, and Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini, a French businessman and restaurateur.
Here’s a closer look at both marriages, how they began, why they ended, and what Cheryl’s personal life looks like today.
Ashley Cole
Cheryl’s first husband was former England and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole.
The pair began dating in 2004, quickly becoming one of Britain’s highest-profile celebrity couples. Their glamorous lifestyle and successful careers often placed them in newspaper headlines and entertainment magazines.
After nearly two years together, they became engaged and prepared for a lavish wedding that attracted widespread media attention.
Their Wedding
Ashley and Cheryl married in July 2006 in a luxurious ceremony attended by family, friends, and several well-known celebrities.
Following the marriage, Cheryl adopted the surname Cole, becoming widely known around the world as Cheryl Cole.
Although she later returned to using simply “Cheryl” professionally, the name remains closely associated with her music career and television appearances.
At the time, many believed they would become one of Britain’s longest-lasting celebrity couples.
The Divorce
Unfortunately, the marriage faced increasing public scrutiny.
Reports regarding Ashley Cole’s personal life dominated newspaper headlines throughout the relationship, placing enormous pressure on the couple.
In May 2010, Cheryl filed for divorce, citing unreasonable behaviour. The divorce was finalized later that year, bringing an end to one of the UK’s most talked-about celebrity marriages.
Despite the difficult circumstances, Cheryl continued focusing on her music and television career following the separation.
Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini
Several years after her first divorce, Cheryl found love again with French entrepreneur Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini.
Jean-Bernard built his reputation within the hospitality industry through successful restaurants and entertainment ventures.
The couple met in 2014 and quickly developed a close relationship.
Their whirlwind romance surprised many fans because they decided to marry after only a few months together.
Secret Wedding
In July 2014, Cheryl and Jean-Bernard married during a private ceremony on the Caribbean island of Mustique.
The intimate wedding remained secret until after the ceremony, creating major headlines once the news became public.
Following the marriage, Cheryl legally became Cheryl Fernandez-Versini.
Unlike her first highly publicized wedding, this celebration was deliberately small and private.
Marriage Ends
Despite their promising start, the marriage proved relatively short.
The couple separated after approximately 18 months together.
Their divorce process concluded in October 2016, officially ending Cheryl’s second marriage.
Jean-Bernard later suggested that the intense level of media attention surrounding their relationship created additional challenges during their time together.
Following the divorce, Cheryl once again chose to focus on family and career rather than public discussion of her personal life.
Relationship With Liam Payne
Although many people mistakenly believe Liam Payne was Cheryl’s husband, the two were never married.
The couple began dating in 2016 after knowing each other for several years through the entertainment industry.
In 2017, they welcomed their son, Bear Grey Payne, becoming first-time parents together.
Their relationship ended in 2018, but both remained committed to co-parenting their son.
Even after their separation, Cheryl consistently emphasized providing a stable and supportive environment for Bear.
Cheryl Today
Over the years, Cheryl has continued evolving professionally.
Following the massive success of Girls Aloud, she established herself as a solo recording artist with multiple chart-topping albums and singles.
She also became a familiar television personality through judging roles on talent competitions, where her warmth and experience helped introduce new musical talent to audiences.
Today, she maintains a relatively private lifestyle while balancing motherhood with selective entertainment projects.
Public Interest
Interest in Cheryl’s former marriages remains high because both relationships unfolded during the peak of her celebrity career.
Her marriage to Ashley Cole became one of Britain’s most discussed celebrity relationships, while her surprise wedding to Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini captured headlines due to its speed and secrecy.
Despite intense public attention over the years, Cheryl has increasingly chosen to keep her personal life away from constant media coverage.
Instead, she focuses on raising her son, supporting charitable causes, and continuing selected work in music and television.
Final Thoughts
If you’ve searched “Cheryl Cole ex-husband,” the answer is that Cheryl has two former husbands.
Her first marriage was to former footballer Ashley Cole, whom she married in 2006 before divorcing in 2010. She later married French businessman Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini in 2014, with that marriage ending in 2016.
Although both marriages attracted enormous public attention, Cheryl has continued building a successful career while embracing a more private personal life. She also shares a son, Bear Grey Payne, with former partner Liam Payne, proving that family remains one of the most important parts of her life as she continues her journey in the entertainment industry.
