Former England Star Claims Brief Romance with Cheryl Preceded Ashley Cole Relationship

A retired England international has recounted a short-lived romantic involvement with Cheryl prior to her marriage to Ashley Cole, which he says ended due to another pregnancy.

Kieron Dyer, who celebrated his 46th birthday this week, rose to prominence in the early 2000s following a £6 million transfer to Newcastle United. His performances secured him a regular spot in the England squad, elevating his public profile significantly.

In his autobiography, 'My Story', Dyer alleges that during this period of heightened fame, he went on several dates with the Girls Aloud singer and fellow Geordie celebrity, Cheryl. This was before she began a relationship with fellow England defender Ashley Cole, whom Dyer describes as having been a good friend during international camps.

Dyer writes that Cheryl was "nervous" on their initial date, which was a trip to the cinema. He also claims that once Cole and Cheryl became a couple, his friendship with the left-back deteriorated permanently.

According to Dyer, his alleged involvement with Cheryl was a frequent topic of conversation in the England dressing room. "Ashley Cole asked a million and one questions. He was fascinated by her," Dyer wrote, suggesting Cole's later marriage to the singer clarified this early curiosity.

Dyer characterised Cheryl as an "absolutely great girl" but stated their connection faded due to his own "complicated" personal circumstances at the time. "There was a time... when she wanted me to get more serious, but I couldn’t because I had got another girl pregnant," he claimed. "I knew that Cheryl deserved better than me, so it kind of fizzled out."

Cheryl and Ashley Cole began dating in 2004, married in 2006, and divorced in 2010 following highly publicised allegations of his infidelity.

In past interviews during their marriage, Cheryl emphasized the personal over the material, stating, " Sex with Ashley is more important to me than all the money in the world... And Ashley makes me feel sexy, he’s fantastic." She added, "I think more men prefer to hear little breaths rather than big loud screams. Otherwise you sound like a porn film."