Cheryl Fernandez-Versini's absence from the spotlight since the X Factor finished at the end of last year has fuelled speculation she's finally expecting the baby she's always longed for.

CHERYL HITS BACK AT HER CRITICS

And rumours mounted two weeks a go when Cheryl missed the National Television Awards, despite being nominated as Best TV Judge and fans reacted by tweeting the star if she was pregnant. Cheryl then tweeted: “People should never jump to conclusions about others. You never know what they may be dealing with #thatsall.”

Although she denied she’s expecting, even encouraging a reporter to touch her 'impressively firm' torso, pals say a family is all the star has wished for.

And Cheryl kept fans guessing last week as she headed out in her hometown of Newcastle in baggy clothing. She later appeared to play on the speculation, Tweeting: “I’m happy to announce my exciting news. I will be delivering my first… centre in Newcastle for #CherylsTrust.”

Pals say Cheryl, 31, has launched Cheryl’s Trust to help disadvantaged youngsters. And her charity work is said to be part of a plan to put her career aside to start a family with her husband Jean-Bernard.

CHERYL'S SHARK TERROR

A source says: “Cheryl is very much in hibernation mode. She’s focusing on her charity work, marriage and having a baby. She adores her fans, but being in the spotlight 24/7 and having her life under so much scrutiny can make her feel quite panicky. Pals say she’s ready to take a step back and now her priority is having a family – everything else will have to work around that.”

But the source adds that Cheryl is also nervous about the implications of talking a step back from showbiz.

The insider says: “She’s changed her mind a few times about whether taking a long break is the right thing to do – she’s worried that as soon as she has a baby she’ll be keen to get back into showbiz. She still wants to have a career in five years, so she needs to stay in the spotlight to some degree.

“She has secret fears that she could jeopardise her career and is worried people will forget her while she takes time off – part of her feeds off being famous.”

Read the full story in this week’s Closer – out now