Cheryl and Ashley Cole granted divorce

Ashley and Cheryl, pictured in 2006, met when they were both living in the same apartment block

Cheryl and Ashley Cole have been granted a divorce at the High Court after four years of marriage.

The decree nisi was granted by District Judge Christopher Simmonds on the grounds of Ashley Cole's admitted unreasonable behaviour.

The pair separated in February after allegations were made in the press about the England and Chelsea defender's infidelity.

They met in 2004 while living in the same London apartment block.

They were engaged a year later after he proposed in Dubai.

The 27-year-old X Factor judge married the footballer in 2006, in a lavish ceremony in Hertfordshire.

Euro qualifier

In 2008, the couple's marriage was rocked by tabloid speculation about Ashley Cole's infidelity.

Their troubled marriage became the focus of much media attention and Cheryl Cole was pictured on a number of occasions without her wedding ring.

A decree nisi is a preliminary divorce order which could be finalised within weeks if neither side objects.

Ashley Cole, is expected to play for England in Friday night's Euro 2012 qualifying match against Bulgaria.