Ashley Cole 'dating Hollyoaks newcomer'

Ashley Cole has reportedly begun dating Hollyoaks newcomer Annie Cooper.

The footballer has apparently been trying to keep the new relationship under wraps and arranged a separate car to transport her between London clubs Whisky Mist and Jet Black and back to his mansion on Sunday.

"Ashley was enjoying being single but was taken by Annie after a friend introduced them," a source told The Sun. "He didn't want it all coming out as it's early days. He wanted to be confident Annie could handle the attention."

Cooper, who plays wannabe WAG Alex in the Channel 4 soap, was joined by a friend and Cole's Chelsea team-mates in Whisky Mist. The source added: "They were on a table with Ashley's pals when he suggested playing the ice cube game.

"This involved passing the ice-cube, boy to girl, using their mouths. The lads then got carried away by putting the ice down the girls' tops."

It was recently reported that Cole had told friends that he wanted to remarry ex-wife Cheryl.