Brit Awards 2010: The show goes on (but the wedding ring comes off) as visibly angry Cheryl Cole performs Fight For This Love

By Ben Todd and Sara Nathan

The show must go on: Cheryl Cole performed at the Brit Awards last night, singing Fight For This Love


She has maintained a dignified silence over her husband's indiscretions.

But a visibly angry Cheryl Cole last night finally made her feelings clear during a centrepiece Brits performance - by not wearing her wedding ring.

After arriving on stage to a standing ovation and the biggest cheer of the night, she stared directly at a camera, contorted her face and belted out the lyrics 'We've got to fight for this love'

It was a stark message to her husband Ashley who she had banned from the glittering ceremony after it was alleged that he had cheated on her with a blonde secretary.

Instead she was cheered on by her Girls Aloud bandmates Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh along with her mother Joan.

Waving her ringless wedding finger around, the singer performed a high energy dance routine with two costume changes from a white gold trimmed mac to a black sequined bodice and hoodie.

In the middle of the performance the 1993 dance anthem Show Me Love was mixed with her track for a brief interlude, before Cheryl emerged again in her second outfit.

With its bitter words, the dance track was a telling choice of song, with the backing lyrics: 'Heartbreaks and promises. I've had more than my share. I'm tired of giving my love and getting nowhere.'


Read my lips: The star was once again minus her wedding ring following lurid allegations that husband Ashley Cole slept with a blonde secretary


Host Peter Kay quipped after the song: 'Never has a truer word been spoken.'

Miss Cole didn't even have the small consolation of an award - as she lost out in the Best British Single category last night to newcomers JLS.

In terms of prizes, the Brits belonged to U.S. star Lady Gaga who picked up three awards, winning International Female Artist, International Breakthrough Act and International Album


Sexy: She changed into a black sequined bodice and hoodie midway through the song

Lily Allen was the big winner among the British female nominees after she was handed the prize for Female Solo Artist.

She beat Leona Lewis, Pixie Lott and Florence and the Machine.

Boyband JLS also picked up Best Breakthrough Act while the Spice Girls were honoured with the prize for Best Brits Performance of 30 Years. Robbie Williams was handed the Outstanding Contribution to Music, while Oasis scooped the award for the Best Album of 30 years.


Legs on show: She started off in a Victoria Beckham-style trenchcoat, cut short at the front


But the real applause was saved for Mrs Cole after her plucky performance of Fight For This Love.

In the past few days her husband Ashley Cole has been embroiled in scandal, with claims that he had sex twice with an unnamed blonde secretary before Chelsea matches in 2008.

On one occasion, Cole, 29, is said to have even turned the television set up in the hotel room where they were meeting because he did not want Chelsea captain - and fellow love cheat - John Terry, who was in the room next door, to hear their tryst.

It is believed that Mrs Cole, 26, is bracing herself for more revelations of her husband's philandering in the coming days. But she refused to pull out of the Brits


Support: The singer's Girls Aloud bandmates Nicola Roberts (right) and Kimberley Walsh along with Cheryl's mother Joan were seen clapping her on


A source revealed: 'Cheryl was determined that the show must go on, come what may. She is a professional through-and-through, and was not going to hide.

'By going ahead with her performance in front of the celebrity audience and the millions watching on TV, she was sending out a clear message to Ashley that he will not take her pride away - whatever he does.'

However, Mrs Cole arrived at the Earl's Court venue in West London looking grim-faced in a Puffa jacket.

She then went straight into her dressing room. All her planned Brits interviews had been cancelled and, according to sources, all the backstage staff were asked not to speak to the singer or look at her, unless they needed to.

But outside, on the red carpet, others were more than happy to claim the limelight. The up-and-coming ladies of the music industry tried their best to outdo each other in a series of striking outfits.

Lily Allen opted for a bizarre floor-length shiny black frock with a high gold and red fringe around the neck.

Florence Welch of Florence and the Machine wore a thigh-skimming number.
But, typically, Lady Gaga managed to steal the show in a white Marie Antoinette-style pompadour wig and embroidered face mask.

In contrast, the 'old guard' of Geri Halliwell and Cat Deeley opted for more traditional red carpet glamour. Only Kylie Minogue tried an edgier look with a curious gipsy-style lace floor-length dress and choppy hair.



source:dailymail