Choreographer and X Factor regular Brian Friedman has confirmed that his friend and colleague Cheryl Cole is in a romantic relationship with dancer Derek Hough, despite those close to the pair insisting that they are just friends.

Hough, 25, has remained close to Cole, 27, (who may now be going by her maiden name of Tweedy) throughout a difficult year for the singer. Hough comforted the Girls Aloud star following a painful separation from husband Ashley Cole and was on 24-hour call when she was hospitalised recently after contracting malaria whilst on a holiday to Tanzania with him. The pair have often been pictured together – dining out, at high-profile celebrity events and on exotic holidays – but the paparazzi have not yet managed to catch a shot of them in any sort of intimate embrace. 

Friends of Hough and the Girls Aloud megastar have so far refused to comment on the nature of their relationship, but X Factor dancer Friedman, 33, doesn’t seem to be as discreet. He has told the Daily Mirror:

“I’ve been very close to them both. They’re amazing people and make a great couple. They’re very, very cute together. Cheryl and Derek both seem incredibly happy right now, that’s all I can say.”

Cole is currently recovering from her illness and is rumoured to return to the X Factor alongside Friedman as they film the judge’s houses section of the audition process. Despite getting her career back on track, the singer may need the support of Hough more than ever, as she battles rumours of a major rift between herself and fellow Girls Aloud band member Nadine Coyle.

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