NADINE & CHERYL’S ‘SECRET’ REUNION
As Nadine Coyle’s ex becomes one of the first celebs to join the line-up amid reports Cheryl could join as a judge, insiders say the former rivals will work on rebuilding their friendship behind the scenes
They recently appeared to heal their infamous 20-year rift – promising a Girls Aloud reunion in 2022 – and, last month, vowed to stand together to support their old bandmate, Sarah
Harding, amid her devastating breast cancer diagnosis.
Now, insiders say that Nadine Coyle and Cheryl could rebuild their friendship even further over the coming weeks, thanks to hit BBC show Strictly Come Dancing.
With Nadine’s ex fiancé, Jason Bell, confirmed to join the star-studded Strictly lineup and Cheryl being hotly tipped to replace Bruno Tonioli on the judging panel, insiders say the two are likely to be crossing paths more often.
Last week, Nadine, 35, showed she’s still on good terms with the father of her six-year-old daughter, Anaiya, as she shared his Strictly news on her Instagram stories.
In April, Nadine revealed that Cheryl had held out an olive branch in a bid to end their seven-year silence following a bitter war of words after the band’s split in 2013.
Nadine said at the time, “Cheryl emailed me recently and I bumped into Kimberley [Walsh] a few weeks ago as well, which was lovely.”
Appearing to confirm Nadine’s revelation, Cheryl – who shares three-year-old son, Bear, with ex Liam Payne, 27 – re-followed her former nemesis on social media.
A source says, “While the news of Jason’s Strictly appearance might have previously rattled Cheryl, her friends say it wouldn’t be an issue now even if she does land a role on the panel. They expect there’ll be some sort of catch-up in secret before long, so it’s not awkward if they bump into each other at the studio.”
Their feud made headlines when Nadine spoke of her upset over the band’s split in 2013, saying, “You should know by now I had no part in any of this split business.” Cheryl hit back, saying Nadine was “full of s**t”, adding, “She was the one who wanted to make a solo record. She wants to come out and say
the brand broke up? No! She shouldn’t tell porkie pies.”
And as reports claimed last week that Kimberley – who had previously said she wasn’t in touch with Sarah – had been talking to Sarah on a daily basis since her diagnosis, insiders add that the devastating news has made Cheryl want to let bygones be bygones.
The source adds, “Cheryl wants to work on building friendship and closeness. Sarah’s cancer battle has given perspective and a wish to put the past behind them and move on.”