Simon Cowell has warned Cheryl Cole not to take back estranged husband Ashley.

The music mogul - who became close to Cheryl after working alongside each other on the past two series of UK TV show 'The X Factor' - wants the 'Parachute' singer to stay strong and start a life on her own, following allegations her soccer star spouse cheated on her with five women.

A source told the Sunday Mirror: "Simon is very protective of Cheryl. He has told her he is on the end of the phone whenever she needs to speak, day or night, and it is Simon who is backing Cheryl's decision to leave Ashley all the way. She had been wobbling over her decision but stuck to her guns when Simon told her, 'You need to get out of this situation. You need to think of yourself.' "

Meanwhile, it has been claimed Cheryl has told Ashley she aims to keep their nine-bedroom mansion and wants his belongings out of it.

The Chelsea player is currently in France receiving treatment for his broken ankle and has been told he won't be welcome to stay at their marital home in Surrey when he returns to the UK.

A source told the News of the World: "Cheryl has had a lot of contact with Ashley. They're discussing what's going to happen when he gets back. She wants to stay in the house. Ashley knows that.

"She isn't ruling out meeting him face-to-face - it's likely he'll have to come to the house to get his stuff, but she's made it clear he won't be staying the night."

Cheryl ended her three-and-a-half year marriage last week following the cheating allegations, but sources say she is yet to call in divorce lawyers.