Cheryl Cole is taking a six-month pause before deciding if she should divorce soccer love-rat Ashley, it has been revealed.

The Girls Aloud star, 26, is torn over what to do.

"Cheryl has decided to take a deep breath and wait before she makes a final decision," News of the World quoted a close pal as saying.

"Deep down, she knows the marriage should be over. But her love for Ashley hasn't gone.

"She's going to take a few months before she starts any formal proceedings. That will be after the World Cup and it gives Ashley a bit of a reprieve," the pal added.

The friend also said that if Cheryl does divorce Ashley, she is unlikely to call in high-profile lawyers.

"It would be done behind closed doors, between the two of them. Cheryl would never have some sort of big public battle," the friend said. (ANI)