This pint-sized Geordie was even beautiful as a baby, when she was named "Bonniest Baby" and later garnered the self-explanatory title of "Best Looking Girl of Newcastle". She was also named her local shopping mall's "Most Attractive Girl" (there's a competition for that? reallly?). Ahem, in any case, there's no disputing Cheryl Cole-nee-Tweedy-nee-Cole-nee-Tweedy's amazing looks.
At 19, Cheryl Tweedy auditioned for Popstars: The Rivals, where she was plucked from obscurity to join Girls Aloud, the show's winning act. Girls Aloud were launched in 2002 and through the noughties, established themselves as household names in the UK. Girls Aloud song Sound of the Underground was an instant number one hit, followed by I'll Stand By You, The Promise and Walk This Way. Eventually the group sold 10 million albums worldwide.
In 2005, Miss Tweedy became engaged to footballer Ashley Cole, starting one of Britain's favourite love to hate affairs. Ashley became known for his philandering ways and, eventually, in 2010, Cheryl finally called it quits. Though some called Cheryl by her maiden name, she stuck with Cole because, she said, changing it back to Tweedy would make it seem that she was "ashamed" of her marriage.
Girls Aloud took a hiatus in 2009 to take on solo projects - most notably, Chezza had already been judging The X Factor for a year. Cheryl's fame overtook the rest of GA and she became "the nation's sweetheart" - at least that's what the press always seemed to call her. Very successful on The X Factor, Cheryl was recruited to do the job Stateside, but then fired by the show's US executive producer.
In between, Cheryl released her first solo album, 3 Words, in 2009 and her second Messy Little Raindrops in 2010.
Latest Cheryl Cole news stories:
Cheryl Cole reportedly dating Ashley
Cheryl's going all out for her birthday
Cheryl Cole plans lavish birthday bash
Example's not a Cheryl Cole fan
Ashley Cole woos Cheryl with an unusual gift
