ANGUISHED Cheryl Cole has opened her heart and confessed she is terrified about single life.

The Girls Aloud babe told of her misery after dumping England soccer ace hubby Ashley, 29, for cheating on her with up to five women.

Cheryl, 26, said: "I`m scared stiff about being single again after all this time - petrified. I`ve been with him for so long."

Pals revealed she is consulting top divorce lawyers including Fiona Shackleton, who represented Sir Paul McCartney.

Meanwhile crocked Chelsea star Cole has ditched his wedding ring.

Sad Cheryl revealed her pain at finding herself single again after six years - admitting: "Part of me can`t help but be terrified."

The X Factor beauty - who plans to divorce Cole and revert to her maiden name Tweedy - told friends: "I know I`m doing the right thing by moving on. Deep down I know it`ll be OK."

She poured out her heart after Cole bombarded her with calls and text messages begging for another chance. The Chelsea defender is said to have first cheated on her in 2004 - on the night he made public his relationship with the singer.

They went on to wed. Six days ago Cheryl finally gave him the boot after 3¥ years of marriage as his string of affairs was exposed. She wants a swift end to the marriage.

Pals revealed Cheryl "wants nothing" from the ¸82,000-a-week ace apart from their pet chihuahuas Coco and Buster.

Glum Cole was last night battling to recover from a broken ankle at a rehab clinic near Biarritz in south west France, where he was seen on crutches - MINUS his wedding ring.

A source said: "He has taken it off as a mark of respect - to show her he knows he`s messed everything up. He`s praying there will be a day he can put it back on again.He looks utterly miserable and spends his entire time texting on his mobile phone. He clearly can`t get Cheryl out of his mind."

Yesterday Cole was on his sixth day of treatment at the clinic in Capbreton - as his estranged wife remained holed up at their Surrey mansion. She ventured out to see Lady GaGa in concert on Friday.

Beaming defiantly and waving to fans, Cheryl was determined to put on a brave face at London`s O2 Arena.

Yesterday the singer treated herself to some pampering from a visiting beautician who was chauffeured to the mansion, where two cops stood guard at the drive.

Meanwhile in France her husband snubbed a walk along the seafront with injured teammate Michael Essien, who stopped for lunch at a café on the promenade.

Among more than 100 athletes at the rehab clinic are women volleyball players. But randy Cole was keeping himself to himself. The source said: "He is not socialising.
sections: Celebrities