ASHLEY Cole has blamed the breakdown of his marriage to Cheryl on his mother-in-law, it was reported today.
It was claimed that the Chelsea full-back said the couple’s marital problems started as soon as Cheryl’s mum, Joan Callaghan, moved into their £6 million, nine-bedroom mansion in Surrey two years ago.
Ashley Cole, 29, was said to be furious at the break-up.
The celebrity couple are now facing a divorce battle over their fortune.
Cheryl, 26, dumped Ashley following a number of humiliating claims that he cheated during the couple’s three-and-a-half-year marriage.
And lawyers have suggested that Cheryl could be single within months.
X Factor judge Cheryl flew home after a spell in Los Angeles, having removed her wedding ring, while Ashley fled their mansion.
For the past few days Cheryl has been lying low in LA, where she has been comforted by dancer Derek Hough, 24.
Family lawyer Julian Hawkhead said finalising the split would be straightforward and that the pair – estimated to be worth £22m – could be single again before June.
He said: “A case where it’s young people with no children and both with lots of money – it should be an easy divorce.”
The singer stuck by Ashley after allegations of infidelity surfaced two years ago.
But further allegations that his phone had been used to send saucy photos to a glamour model and indulge in “sex text”, plus further kiss-and-tell stories, appear to have been too much of a strain on the relationship.