Secret meeting: According to reports, Ashley Cole has begged ex wife Cheryl, seen here together in October 2009, for a date
It was the celebrity divorce that dominated the headlines last year after allegations of his multiple infidelities.
But Ashley Cole is hoping for a reconciliation with ex-wife Cheryl after the couple met secretly at their former marital home.
According to reports today, the Chelsea star also begged her for a date after getting 'positive signals' from the X Factor judge.
But last night, a friend of the Girls Aloud star told the News of the World she is 'wary' of getting back with the footballer over fears it would damage her career.
The newspaper reported that the ex-partners had met at the mansion in Surrey they shared when they were married after she appeared Piers Morgan's Life Stories in October.
A friend of Ashley's told the paper: 'The key thing that led to contact being restored was the interview. He feared another bucketload of s*** after all the media criticism.
'But Cheryl only spoke of love and tenderness. She couldn't have been nicer.'
After the secret reunion, Ashley is then believed to have bombarded Cheryl with calls and texts asking her out on a date.
Reluctant: Cheryl, pictured here at the National Television Awards last week, wasn't keen to see Ashley after the bash for fear of being photographed with him
The friend added: 'He has been getting some positive signals from Cheryl and has been responding to them.'
And according to sources at Chelsea Football Club, Ashley also asked to see her after last week's National Television Awards - but she refused.
A source at the London club said: 'This is the talk of the training ground. He called her and she told him she was going and he wanted tickets.
'He said they'd be discreet and make sure they weren't pictured together. It was obvious from his reaction she was unsure.'
Last night , her friend said Cheryl was 'wary' of a reconciliation as it would damage her career and possibly anger her boss Simon Cowell and close friend Derek Hough, who was there to pick up the pieces after she and Ashley split.
Tenderness: Cheryl got emotional on Piers Morgan's Life Stories as she spoke about her relationship with Ashley
They said: 'Cheryl's career has gone from strength to strength since she left Ashley. Any proper reconciliation would be career suicide.'
However, a report in the Sunday Mirror said she has decided to keep the surname 'Cole' to help her crack America.
She made the decision when she renewed her passport and changed it from her maiden name of Tweedy.
A source said: 'People knew who she was as Tweedy but she has only become truly famous as Cheryl Cole.
Talk of the training ground: Ashley, seen here in action for Chelsea in the FA Cup clash with Everton yesterday, is said to be the hot gossip at the west London club
Source:Dailymail