The 'Fight for This Love' singer sought comfort from 'Dancing with the Stars' professional performer Derek Hough after texting her husband, soccer star Ashley Cole ,to tell him their marriage was over and he should move out of their marital home.

Cheryl, 26, fled the UK for Los Angeles last week after lurid allegations of Ashley cheating on her with five other women emerged.

Derek arrived at the London hotel in West Hollywood to see Cheryl at around 7.30pm on Sunday - the day she texted Ashley - accompanied by his terrier dog, and left at around 4am, smiling.

An onlooker told The Sun newspaper: "He looked very pleased with himself."

Derek, 24, has enjoyed a string of lunch dates and openly flirted with Cheryl while they have been in Los Angeles.

He met her while she recorded her debut album, '3 Words', and also starred in the video for her single 'Parachutes'.

She has said of the dancer: "He's a sweetheart and makes the day more enjoyable."

Friends even say Cheryl - who flew back to the UK last night (22.02.10) - may consider moving to Los Angeles full-time.

A source said: "She's been seeing a lot of Derek. Part of her doesn't want to come home."

Meanwhile, Ashley is said to be "distraught", but accepting of the breakdown of his marriage.

A friend of the England star said: "He is devastated and distraught. He is desperate for a reconciliation but knows in his heart he has lost her for good."

Ashley - who wed Cheryl in 2006 - has yet to comment on allegations he slept with five women while married to the Girls Aloud beauty.

Cheryl Cole spent the night with a hunky American dancer on Sunday (21.02.10).