Fergie is considering quitting the Black Eyed Peas

The 35-year-old singer - who has achieved three Billboard Hot 100 number one singles in her career - has allegedly been rowing with bandmate will.i.am and has been contemplating her future within the band.

An insider told the Daily Mirror newspaper: "There is a bit of tension there. Fergie thinks will.i.am is getting a little big for his boots - especially after all the attention he has been getting through his friendship with Cheryl Cole."

Fergie is hoping will.i.am - who has grown increasingly close to Cheryl since her split from her soccer player husband Ashley Cole - will "snap out of it" if she threatens to leave the `I Gotta Feeling` chart-toppers.

The insider added: "Fergie is hoping that by saying she wants to leave he`ll snap out of it. But at the BET Awards she put on a big smile and just got on with it.

"At the end of the day, they know their fans are counting on them to hold it together."

The rumours come after the pair allegedly had a fall-out last month when will.i.am refused to perform at an after-party for the band`s BlackBerry gig in London that the whole group had been booked for.

He recently took to his twitter page to address mounting rumours Fergie was considering going it alone.

He tweeted: "Don`t believe gossip about Fergie leaving the group (we are never breaking up) its all lies!!! (sic)"

sections: Celebrities