TV REVIEW: Cheryl Cole Opens Up On Love, Press And The Pressure Of Her First Solo Tour

TV REVIEW: Cheryl Opens Up On Love, Press And Pressure
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Cheryl Cole has got more reason than most to not really want a camera in her face at the best of times, let alone when she's nervous, planning her first solo tour and... embarking on a brand new romance.

But, the feisty Novocastrian is nothing if not a trooper, and with a Girls Aloud Greatest Hits to put in front of people, not to mention her solo tour DVD to talk about, it was time to take the lens cap off.

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With Cheryl's close pal behind the camera, the singer was far more revelatory than she might otherwise have been. So what did we glean?

  • She seems a lot more relaxed in LA, where her kohl-lined eyes don't ignite a flurry of paparazzi wherever she goes.
  • She has someone to open her coke can for her.
  • Cheryl obviously adores her dancer boyfriend Tre, talking of their "great connection", and he apparently feels very protective of her in return. It is unclear which came first... his dancing more energetically than anyone else at the front of her entourage, or his romance with the leading lady.
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  • She was genuinely worried for her boyfriend when he hurt his knee, reflecting: "It's his livelihood, what would he do? It's like me losing my voice... what would I do?" Well, presumably phone Simon Cowell.
  • Out of her all her solo gigs, London's O2 venue is the most intimidating venue for her with all those weird people that London attracts- "journalists, critics, friends".
  • What Will.i.am thinks is the secret to her appeal... "she's down to earth, sweet, people are sick of pretentious divas." He has a point, even if he was saying this while the pair sat in their dressing discussing their two stages, and was wearing a cravat.
  • That she was terrified of doing the swan dive that has become an integral part of her stage act.
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  • She inspires lots of loyalty in both her acolytes, and her mentors. They all speak of her with glowing pride, and treat her achievements as their own.
  • She very articulately describes the nerves before going on stage, and then the euphoria when it goes well.
  • Her Girls Aloud bandmates seemed genuinely very happy for her, judging by the hugs they shared with her in the dressing room following the London gig.
  • That Cheryl's biggest smile is reserved for when she outruns the paps in six-inch heels. She associates them with periods of hell in her life aka marriage.
  • That the only time she got carried away with emotion on stage was in her hometown of Newcastle, talking of taking the bus past the arena as a child - "I had a dream, and I've done it."
  • Celebrity Survivors
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    Delta Goodrem - was diagnosed at 18 with Hodgkins Lymphoma, an announcement that incited an outpouring of support from her particularly Australian fanbase.
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    In the two decades since Michael J Fox's Parkinson's diagnosis, the popular actor has continued to work on both TV and film, as well as writing two autobiographies and creating a foundation. He has received many awards for his humanitarian work, and says that his illness has in countless ways improved his life.
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    Olivia Newton-John's breast cancer diagnosis and treatment has inspired the Australian singer to work tirelessly on behalf of others, including walking the Chinese wall to raise funds for her new Wellness Centre in a Melbourne hospital.
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    Leslie Ash became the unfortunate figurehead of the MRSA bug that plagued various UK hospitals after she caught the superbug. The actress was awarded £5m in damages, and still walks with a stick.
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    TLC's T-Boz (Tionna Watkins) was diagnosed as a child with sickle cell anaemia, which gave her a reduced life expectancy by doctors she has continued to confound.
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    Christopher Reeve was paralysed following his fall from a horse in 1995. Until his death a decade later, the actor dedicated his efforts to raising funds and advocating for political support to removing the blocks to essential stem cell research for spinal injuries.
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    Anastasia - the American singer discovered she had breast cancer during a standard mammogram ahead of breast reduction surgery in 2003. Following her own treatment, she immediately launched the Anastasia Fund to promote awareness among younger women.
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    Anthony Andrews - was hospitalised in 2003 for "a salt imbalance". This came about as the unexpected consequence of drinking too much water while performing on stage during a hot weather spell in London.
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    Russell Watson has recently resumed his career after being struck down twice with life-threatening brain tumours. He has recorded his first album since treatment, and credits his surgery with his new, deeper voice.
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    Martin Kemp - former singer and EastEnders star had two brain tumours in the 1990s, and had pioneering treatment for the second. He has been acting since, and returned to the road with his band Spandau Ballet.
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    Sheryl Crow has not had a smooth time of it - going through treatment for breast cancer in 2006, and then announcing she has a brain tumour.
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    Gail Porter's bold, bald head has become a staple of red carpets following the presenter's decision to shave it all off, when her alopecia returned. She has made a documentary about the process too.
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    Madonna brought several bones in 2005 when she fell from a horse, and suffered further bruising falling again in 2009...
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    ... as did TV presenter Lorraine Kelly, in a frightening fall in February this year, when she was learning to ride. Her horse stamped on her, and she lost 3 pints of blood.
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    Cheryl Cole - malaria charities everywhere found their profiles shot up when the Girls Aloud singer caught the illness during a trip to Africa in 2010.
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    ... while sister Dannii has had to battle with an underactive thyroid condition.
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    ... while Katie Price had a cancer scare in 2002 after having a malignant growth removed from her finger.