Cheryl Cole 'to leave marital home'

Cheryl Cole has reportedly started searching for a new home because she no longer wants to live in the house she shared with estranged husband Ashley.

According to The Mirror, the X Factor judge is likely to stay in the Surrey area and has already seen two properties over the past few days.

Cheryl is said to have told friends that she is keen to make a fresh start because her marital home holds "too many painful memories".

A source said: "Cheryl does not want the separation to be a long, drawn-out affair. She wants to find somewhere quickly so she can regain stability and become settled once more.

"If she can't find somewhere she likes she'll consider rented accommodation in the short term."

It is thought that the Girls Aloud star may ask Ashley to buy her half of their £3.5 million home when he returns to the UK from France, where he is receiving treatment at a sports clinic.

The insider added: "It's a real shame because Cheryl loved that place. But all her memories of it have been soured by what's gone on."