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Why Cheryl has become Mrs Glum; As Cheryl Cole grows ever more successful, stylish and famous, her husband Ashley gets more petulant, pouty and vain. And the tensions in their marriage are starting to show...

Article Excerpt
Byline: by Laura Collins; Additional reporting: Zoe Griffin

THE BALLROOM at the Brit party was alive with chatter and excitement. No detail had been overlooked nor expense spared. The theme of white and gold was reflected in every flower, candle and champagne flute. This was a night for celebration, as pop stars, music industry bosses, models and footballers revelled in their youth, their success, or both.

The table reserved for Girls Aloud was particularly raucous. After seven years together, they were celebrating their first Brit. Five identical silver statues stood on their table, each proclaiming their song, The Promise, Best Single 2009. In high spirits, Nadine Coyle, there with her new boyfriend Jason Bell, took to her feet and began dancing seductively. Bandmates Kimberly Walsh, Nicola Roberts and Sarah Harding joined in as Bell laughed.

Only Cheryl Cole remained seated, next to her footballer husband, Ashley. The couple occupied a little pocket of tension amid the fun. One fellow partygoer recalled: 'They were the Glums. Ashley complained that he was hungry so Cheryl asked for some smoked salmon sandwiches for him. Then he said he was tired, asking when they could go. They ended up leaving at 11pm and heading back to their hotel, when the party was just getting going.' That was back in February. The downbeat end to Cheryl's evening will come as a surprise to the millions of fans who saw her dazzle at the Brit Awards that night. Centre-stage and in the spotlight, she shone, looking every inch the superstar. And she and Ashley looked every inch the golden couple. But those who knew better might have guessed at the truth betrayed by her husband's tight smile and the way Cheryl pandered to him on a night that should have been all about her and the girls.

One of the singer's friends said: 'Cheryl and Ashley's marriage is tricky. The more successful and loved she is, the more difficult their relationship becomes. It's a very strange dynamic but Cheryl remains absolutely besotted with him and fiercely loyal.

'The truth is that Ashley is very insecure and that shows in his reaction to...

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