Cheryl - I really wanted to keep 
marriage secret

Cheryl Cole has told how she would have preferred to keep her new marriage under wraps.

The star, who wed French restaurateur Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini, tied the knot in a secret ceremony a little over a fortnight 
ago, but the couple were married for a week before it became public know-ledge.

Appearing as a guest co-host on BBC Radio 1's Greg James show, she said that she would have been in favour of her second marriage remaining out of the spotlight.

"I would have actually kept it that way but unfortunately it was leaked," Cole told James, adding: "But I'm glad it's out there."

The couple were married on a beach in Mustique in front of a handful of guests after dating for around half-a-year.

She was previously married to footballer Ashley Cole, but they divorced in 2010 after four years.

The singer is on course to notch-up her fourth number one solo single with Crazy Stupid Love this weekend, and she explained that she had taken time away from the music business to allow her to "recharge".

celebrate

The star - who returns to the X Factor this summer - had a party to celebrate her wedding earlier this week at smart London venue Library, with guests who included her Girls Aloud friends Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh, as well as her mother, Joan Callaghan.

Cole (31) confirmed her marriage on July 13, writing: "I usually do not discuss my personal life but to stop the speculation I want to share my happy news... Jean-Bernard and I married on 7/7/14."

hnews@herald.ie