Cheryl Cole's divorce from cheating husband Ashley Cole has been finalised and the couple were granted a 'quickie' divorce at the High Court this morning.

The 'Fight For This Love' singer who sought a divorce from her footballer husband of four years after his several alleged affairs is said to be "relieved that things have progressed significantly since her illness."

Both Cole's will be absent from the proceedings, however, Cheryl is said to be keeping a watchful eye on how things are going after the set back with the finalisation of the divorce after she contracted malaria in July.

A source said: "She just wants to move on with her life and getting the divorce done will end a very painful chapter."

"It must not be forgotten Cheryl did not ask for this. The last thing she expected was to be a divorcee at 27.

"But once she accepted there was no way the marriage could work without the trust destroyed by her husband, the pill was a slightly less bitter one to swallow.

"She and Ashley have no need to stay in touch and all housing and assets will be handled by their legal representatives."

You can read all about the intricate details of Cheryl's life over the past year, including the breakup of one of Britain's most talked about couples as Cheryl is set to release a tell-all book chronicling the past 12 months and the demise of her marriage to the Chelsea defender entitled 'Through My Eyes'.

Check out our pictures of Cheryl and Ashley Cole from happier times...