Nicola: “I just want a normal boyfriend!”

NICOLA: Former Girls Aloud star Nicola Roberts is on the lookout for love alongside newly single pal Cheryl

he hasn’t been S linked to anyone since ending her six-year relationship with boyfriend Charlie Fennell 18 months ago, but insiders say Nicola Roberts is determined to find love again.

The former Girls Aloud star, who celebrated her 30th in October, was pictured in her bikini last week as she relaxed in Barbados. This was days before Kimberley Walsh’s showbiz wedding to long-term boyfriend Justin Scott, where she was acting as a bridesmaid alongside best pal Cheryl Fernandez-versini.

And friends say Nicola – who lived with boyfriend Charlie and had two pet pugs they referred to as their “substitute sons” – is finally ready to start dating again.

FINDING MR RIGHT

A source says: “Nicola’s been on a few dates, but hates the dating scene as she just wants a normal guy who isn’t intimidated by her celebrity status. She’s in a real dilemma about where she’s going to meet the type of man she wants to settle down with.

“She’s never liked the showbiz party circuit, so tries to avoid the blokes that hang around her because they recognise her from Girls Aloud.

“Being at Kimberley’s wedding celebrations and seeing how rock-solid her relationship with Justin is has just hammered home to her that she’d love to find Mr Right and settle down.”

NATURALLY SLIM

And Nicola has told pals she’d love to go to America with Cheryl – who’s rumoured to have split with husband Jean-bernard – to go on a manhunt, with a source close to the girls saying: “Nicola and Cheryl have been joking that when Cheryl’s ready, they’ll go to LA where no one knows them in search of hot men to date. Maybe they’ll have better luck when people aren’t interested purely in their fame.”

But while Nicola looked carefree in the holiday snaps, she has received criticism over her tiny size 6 figure in the past.

A source close to the star says she’s always been slender, and credits her frame to a healthy diet.

An insider reveals: “Nicola admits that she’s never had much of an appetite, but she’s also very into clean eating, so doesn’t have any wheat, dairy or carbs, and tries to avoid as much sugar as possible.”

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The source adds: “She used to love the intense dance routines with Girls Aloud and still does dance classes, but she’s never liked going to the gym. She loves putting on her headphones and going for long runs, but says as she gets older she’s used a personal trainer to keep herself toned. Nicola’s naturally very waifish and has always been slim.

“Cheryl’s suffered so much body negativity over her figure lately, but she’s just told Nicola to follow her lead and ignore the haters.”