Former I’m A Celebrity star Kieron Dyer has claimed he ended a brief 2003 romance with Cheryl because he felt “she deserved better.”
England footballer Kieron, 39, made the claims about Cheryl – who hasn’t publicly confirmed the romance – in his new autobiography: “Old Too Soon, Smart Too Late: My Story.”
Speaking in an extract for the Mail Online, Kieron wrote: “Me and Cheryl had hit it off straight away… She wanted me to get more serious, but… I knew that Cheryl deserved better than me, so it kind of fizzled out.”
He claimed the short-lived fling happened just months before the Girls Aloud singer started dating her soon-to-be husband, Ashley Cole. And Kieron adds that the fellow footballer was “fascinated” by Chez.
Read more: Cheryl sparks engagement rumours with a ring on THAT finger
He writes: “Whenever I met up with England, the boys asked me questions about Cheryl. Ashley Cole asked a million and one questions. He was fascinated by her. When they got together and married, it all started to make sense. He was always keen on her and desperate to get to know her.”
And 15 years on, the sports star – who appeared on the 2015 series of I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! – has nothing but lovely things to say about the singer, 34.
“Nothing will ever change my mind that she’s a great person,” he says.
“When my sister was sent to prison — five years after we stopped seeing each other — Cheryl sent a big bunch of flowers and a card to my mum. I have no idea how she got hold of mum’s address but that just emphasised to me what a great heart she has.”
ED! has contacted Cheryl’s rep for comment.
Cheryl and Ashley split in 2010.
Kieron’s remarks come after the Call My Name singer’s appearance at an event last week, wearing what looked like an engagement ring.
Cheryl has been dating One Direction singer, Liam Payne, 24, for two years, and they had baby Bear last March.
As a guest at The Prince’s Trust reception in honour of the’Invest in Futures’ charity project, the mum of one made no attempt to hide the platinum diamond ring on her left hand, as she mingled with famous faces such as Prince Charles and actress, Dame Helen Mirren.
However, sources claimed the jewel was simply costume jewellery.
Cheryl founded Cheryl’s Trust to help youths in North East England achieve their dreams.
She has teamed up with The Prince’s Trust to launch a new centre in her native Newcastle on February 20, which will provide training and opportunities for unemployed young people in the area.
Good work, Cheryl!
Read more: Check out Liam Payne’s saucy confession about his relationship with Cheryl
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