Published Wednesday, 26 May 2010
The 26-year-old X Factor judge cited "unreasonable behaviour" as the reason for the break-up in papers filed at the High Court in London on Tuesday, it was said.
She will let Chelsea soccer star Cole keep their £6m mansion in Surrey as part of the deal, according to the Sun.
Their split was announced in February after claims that the left-back had been unfaithful during the couple's three-and-a-half-year marriage.
Cheryl, who topped the charts with Fight For This Love, stuck by Ashley after allegations of his infidelity surfaced two years ago.
But further claims that his mobile phone had been used to send saucy photos to a glamour model and indulge in "text sex", plus further kiss-and-tell stories, appeared to have been too much of a strain on the relationship.
The marriage looked rocky after just 18 months. Two women sold stories about how they had become involved with the footballer.
But the couple, whose wedding was featured in an exclusive deal with OK! magazine, appeared to overcome any problems the stories may have caused.
And Cheryl's career hit new heights thanks to her starring role on the judging panel for The X Factor. Her solo pop career also flourished with the release of her debut album, 3 Words.
She is said to have told her husband the marriage was over by text message.
Before the divorce was announced, publicist Max Clifford described the public nature of the revelations as "incredibly painful but also incredibly humiliating" for Cheryl.
Lawyers said the divorce was unlikely go through before the World Cup.
Toby Hales, a partner in the family department at Hodge, Jones and Allen, said: "Even if Cheryl and Ashley manage to persuade the court staff to work as hard as possible, there is an enforced wait of six weeks between the grant of decree nisi and decree absolute.
"This gap can only be shortened with the permission of a judge in certain defined circumstances, usually due to some form of financial hardship, impending second wedding etc.
"I suspect that a judge would be unimpressed with an application to expedite the decree absolute based upon a desire to get it out of the way before the World Cup.
"I think they are realistically looking at September."