The Girls Aloud star, 30, has always expressed a passion for tattoos – already having a tribal tattoo on her hand, barbed wire round her thigh and previously a ‘Mrs C’ on the back of her neck.

She shared the news on her Instagram page, with a snap of her wearing just a pink thong to display the full extent of the inking.

Nikko Hurtado, who was the lucky tattoo artist to perform the inking, said the star was ‘tough as nails’ during the gruelling ordeal, which was completed over a number of months.

Cheryl Cole told one Twitter follower that the longest she sat for in one go was 7-8 hours.

Speaking to The Sun, Cheryl opened up about the rose design: 'It was really painful but I think I'm done with tattoos now she said.

‘It wasn't for any particular reason, I just liked the design. It took 15 hours in total.'

The Call My Name singer previously had a butterfly design on the lower part of her back, which has now been covered by the new tattoo.

And despite receiving some criticism from fans on the decision, Cole defended her new body art, tweeting: ‘People are entitled to their own opinion. Personally I've never really concerned myself with other people's body parts!’

Adding: ‘I have personal meaning behind it but English roses are my favourite flowers.’

Celebrity followers were also quick to support the singer, with Corrie actress Michelle Keegan writing: ‘No gonna lie I actually heart @CherylCole new tattoo #dontcare X.’ To which the star replied ‘not gonna lie I actually love you!!’

Rapper Wretch 32 also leapt to the star’s defence, telling her ‘Yo @CherylCole thumbs up bby thumbs up x.’