Cheryl opens up about ‘regretting’ taking Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini’s name

She's been Tweedy, Cole and Fernandez-Versini

Cheryl Fernandez-Versini, Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini

by Marianna Manson |
Updated on

Cheryl has thrown some serious shade at her ex-husband as she admits she regrets changing her last name (twice).

Cheryl rose to fame as part of Popstars: The Rivals' winning group Girls Aloud, under the stage name – her actual name - Cheryl Tweedy.

But then she married footballer Ashley Cole, inheriting a moniker that’s seemed to have stuck with her ever since.

Speaking on the podcast What’s the Tee with Ru Paul’s Drag Race stars Ru and Michelle Visage, Cheryl told of her “regret” at changing the name she was known by in public.

Cheryl, Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini
Cheryl and second husband, Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini ©Getty

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“But it’s a difficult one isn’t it?” she said.

I was Cheryl Tweedy,and then I got married and was married for six years to him. Then we broke up and it was my name by then, everybody knew me by then.

“And then you meet somebody else, then people are addressing you by your previous husband’s name, it’s a tricky one.”

And this is where it gets really shady – Cheryl, we didn’t know you had it in you.

As Ru announced he couldn’t even pronounced Cheryl’s last name during the time she was married to Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini, Cheryl quipped, “You don’t have to, you can forget all about that.

CHECK OUT Cheryl's relationship timeline

Gallery

Cheryl relationship timeline - slider with cover pic

Cheryl timeline1 of 12
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Swipe through to see Cheryl's relationship history...

Ashley Cole2 of 12
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2004-2010: Ashley Cole

Not long into her rise to fame, Cheryl started dating England footballer Ashley Cole, even attending the World Cup with the likes of Victoria Beckham and Coleen Rooney. Clearly smitten, the loved-up pair got married in 2016, penning a six-figure magazine deal at the time.

Ashley Cole3 of 12
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2004-2010: Ashley Cole

However, things started to turn sour for the 'golden couple' when Ashley was accused of 'cheating' on Cheryl just months after their wedding. Despite forgiving the footballer, Ashley continued with his ways, with allegations that he'd been unfaithful rocking their romance yet again. Everything got too much for Chez in 2010, when she filed for divorce from Ashley.

Derek Hough4 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 ITV

2010-2011: Derek Hough

Cheryl first met professional dancer Derek Hough whilst the pair filmed the music video for her hit track 'Parachute', and it seems they immediately hit it off. The former X Factor judge contracted Malaria in 2010, and she later told Piers Morgan, "I owe my life to Derek... if it wasn't for him I'd be dead."

Derek Hough5 of 12
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2010-2011: Derek Hough

Despite this, it seems the pair were destined to just be friends, with Derek later revealing to the media, "We dated for a while. Absolutely we are still friends, we are still very close."

Tre Holloway6 of 12
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2012-2013: Tre Holloway

It seems Cheryl had quite a thing for professional dancers, as her next boyfriend was the super handsome Tre Holloway. Despite first meeting each other on The X Factor in 2010, the pair didn't grow close until 2012, with Cheryl enlisting Tre's dancing skills for her 'Ghetto Baby' music video.

Tre Holloway7 of 12
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2012-2013: Tre Holloway

Things seemed to be getting serious between the two, especially when Tre starred in Cheryl's ITV2 documentary. However, the long-distance relationship didn't work out, with the couple calling it quits in 2013. Speaking at the time, Tre said, "She's an amazing person, an amazing woman, and we are good friends."

Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini8 of 12
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2014-2016: Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini

It looked like Cheryl had found 'the one' when she met French businessman Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini in 2014. Only three months into their romance, Cheryl shocked her fans by announcing she'd married JB, in a secret beach location with her close family and friends.

JB9 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty Images

2014-2016: Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini

After her second marriage, rumours of tension between Cheryl and JB started to arise, with the couple being pictured looking glum on more than one occasion. 18 months after their whirlwind wedding, Cheryl and JB were granted a quickie divorce in October 2018.

2016-2018: Liam Payne10 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Instagram

2016-2018: Liam Payne

Shortly after Cheryl divorced JB, she singer shocked the showbiz world in 2016, when she confirmed she was dating One Direction singer Liam Payne. Despite the pair having a 10-year age gap, and originally meeting when Liam was just 14-years-old on The X Factor, Cheryl and Liam instantly hit it off, posting a number of adorable snaps together.

2016-2018: Liam Payne11 of 12

2016-2018: Liam Payne

After what was the worst kept pregnancy secret of the decade, Cheryl and Liam welcomed a baby boy into the world in March 2017, settling on the name Bear Grey Payne.

2016-2018: Liam Payne12 of 12
CREDIT: u00a9 Getty Images

2016-2018: Liam Payne

Split rumours started to hit the pair in early 2018, but Cheryl and Liam were quick to shut them down, putting on a very loved-up display at the 2018 BRIT Awards. However, just five months later, the couple released a joint statement admitting they've decided to separate. Despite this, the pair remain good friends and co-parent baby Bear.

Cheryl, Liam Payne
Cheryl and Liam Payne ©Getty

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“We don’t worry about that.”

Phewwwwww.

Cheryl has a child with One Direction singer Liam Payne – who she first met when he was just 16 auditioning for theX Factor and is ten years her junior.

But after becoming a single mum, Cheryl said “I feel full. My heart’s full, I’m fulfilled.

“I’m not looking for anything anymore. I’m whole. I’ve got the man of my dreams."

When did Cheryl become Cheryl Fernandez-Versini?

Cheryl and Jean-Bernard married on the 14th July 2014, and divorced in 2016.

"It's been a tough year, I'm trying to move on. I'll never think badly of her. She is a great girl," he said after their split.

"I fell in love, what could I do? I didn't know Cheryl was famous when I met her. I was having a party at my house in South Africa and she turned up, but I didn't know who she was. I always go for very beautiful women."

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