Cheryl Cole ditches manager

Cheryl Cole has ditched manager Hilary Shaw in favour of Black Eyed Peas star and close friend Will.i.am.

The Mirror reports a close friend of Cole as saying: “Hilary has been ­absolutely brilliant for ­Cheryl, but breaking America is a different ball game.

“She feels she needs someone with ultimate respect in the American music market to take her career to the next level and Will.i.am is the perfect choice.”

Despite the changes to Cheryl’s solo career, Shaw will continue Girls Aloud who confirmed their comeback for 2012 earlier this week.