NO TO DATE WITH CHERYL’S EX

SHE will soon marry into the Royal Family but Meghan Markle could have become a footballer’s wife – if she had accepted the offer of a date from Ashley Cole, it is claimed.

Before Miss Markle was a household name here, she caught the eye of singer Cheryl Cole’s ex-husband who barraged her with social media messages.

Shortly after splitting from her first husband Trevor Engelson, Miss Markle asked a British journalist, during a visit to London in 2013: ‘Do you know this guy Ashley Cole?

‘He follows me and he keeps trying to talk to me on Twitter. He’s trying really hard,’ The Mail on Sunday reported.

Of the footballer, 36, who now plays for Los Angeles Galaxy in America, Miss Markle added: ‘He wants to go out on a date while I’m over here in London. What do you think? Do you know him?’

After the journalist told Miss Markle she would advise turning down the offer, the actress was taken aback but answered: ‘Thanks, I appreciate it.

‘Some of my friends told me to stay away from him too’, adding: ‘I think I’ll leave it’.

His alleged proposition came three years after the former Chelsea star had split from Cheryl, 34, following accusations that he had cheated on her with several women.

She now has a child with One Direction star Liam Payne, 24.