Ashley Cole gives Cheryl a birthday surprise

Ashley Cole showed his romantic side yesterday by surprising his wife Cheryl on her 25th birthday.

The footballer showed up unexpectedly at Cheryl's room in Manchester's Radisson Edwardian Hotel. He brought along his mother Sue and mother-in-law Joan Tweedy for a mini-party and spoiled the Girls Aloud star with a series of presents, including a Selfridges gift bag, bunch of flowers and birthday cake.

Cheryl was in the city for the latest round of X Factor auditions. She joined the show as a replacement for Sharon Osbourne last month.

The pair's marriage now appears to be back on track after Cheryl forgave her husband for cheating.

"Cheryl was beaming from ear to ear when Ashley turned up," a source told the Daily Star. "She didn't realise he was going to put in an appearance and was stunned when he arrived. She loves Ashley to bits and she wants to put all the stuff behind her."