Cynon Valley Leader, 4th March 2010
Cheryl and Ashley Cole need to avoid a messy split like that of Heather Mils and Paul McCartney and follow the Madonna and Guy Ritchie model of divorcing with dignity.
That is the advice of a top Welsh divorce lawyer.
Aberdare-born Melanie Hamer said the celebrity pair must get themselves “committed family lawyers” who are determined to settle the case amicably.
The singer dumped her footballer husband last week following claims the England star was unfaithful during the pair’s three-and-a-half-year marriage.
Having pointedly removed her wedding ring, X Factor judge Cheryl flew home after a spell in Los Angeles, while Ashley left the couple’s mansion.
Ms Hamer, 44, formerly of Godreaman, also pointed to Peter Andre and Katie Price’s separation as an example of the kind of acrimonious separation the couple should avoid.
Ms Hamer, a partner at the Cardiff-based Wendy Hopkins Family Law Practice, said: “Ashley and Cheryl need to take stock of what happened with Paul McCartney and Heather Mills and how wrong that went.”
Singer Cheryl Cole shot to fame in the band Girls Aloud. Her solo career has seen her top the charts with Fight For This Love. She has stuck by Ashley after allegations of infidelity surfaced two years ago, but further allegations appear to have become too great a strain on the relationship.