Last updated at 12:14 AM on 3rd July 2011
Cheryl Cole's exclusive 28th birthday party was THE place to be seen this weekend – or at least it was for all the guests bar her ex-husband Ashley.
For although the Chelsea and England footballer went to great lengths to attend the lavish bash – making a midnight dash from Heathrow to the five-star venue – he was very keen not to be spotted arriving or leaving.
His chauffeur-driven car sneaked into the Sanderson Hotel unnoticed via the underground car park – and when it was time to leave in the early hours of yesterday, he concealed himself in the back seat as the Audi A8 whisked him away at high speed.
Sixties style: Cheryl in her Stella McCartney frock at her 28th birthday party at The Sanderson Hotel on Friday
Ashley's four-hour appearance at the party, direct from his holiday in New York, has renewed speculation that he and Cheryl are getting back together, despite his reported infidelity.
Last night Miss Cole's publicist confirmed that Ashley had attended the party, but refused to be drawn any further on their relationship.
But a source close to the star told The Mail on Sunday: 'It was a small, private party held by Cheryl to celebrate her birthday with those who are really close to her.
'There were about 20 to 30 guests there. It was just friends and family, and Ashley was invited as well.
Hidden: Cheryl's ex-husband Ashley hides behind the back seat as he is whisked away from her birthday party
'She was over the moon that he had come because he had only just arrived back from America. The two of them are taking things slowly and it is early days, but Ashley is doing all the right things now.
'Most of the guests left the party at about 3am but Ashley stayed around for almost an hour longer to spend time with Cheryl. They are getting very close now and she needs someone to rely on.'
Birthday girl: A photo taken on Twitter shows Cheryl Cole cutting her elaborate cake at the party
The Girls Aloud singer, humiliatingly dumped from the American version of X Factor just over a month ago, spent an estimated 25,000 to effectively rent out half of the elite hotel for two days to pamper herself and close friends and family.
She was in the 1,000-a-night penthouse for three nights, and booked the plush bungalow suite below her for her mother, Joan Callaghan, along with 20 more rooms for other party guests.
Sporting her new blonde bob, Cheryl wore a white Sixties-style Stella McCartney chiffon dress and high-heeled sandals to the party, which was the first time she has been seen in public since her exit from the US X Factor.
Party people: Band mates Kimberley Walsh (left) and Nicola Roberts (right) came to the hotel to celebrate with their friend Cheryl
After cutting an extravagant cake, designed to look like a pile of boutique gifts, Cheryl danced and chatted the night away.
Guests included the Black Eyed Peas – whose singer will.i.am was her American manager – Tulisa Contostavlos, the N-Dubz singer who replaced her on the British X Factor judging panel when she made her ill-fated attempt to crack America, and her Girls Aloud bandmates Nicola Roberts and Kimberley Walsh.
Miss Cole's brother Garry also attended, as did Ashley's brother, Matthew.
But her ex-husband's presence is believed to have caused tensions within her family, who are thought to have advised her not to let Ashley back into her life. Miss Cole's mother is said to be furious that he has wormed his way back into her heart.
After the party, Ashley, 30, returned to their 5 million former marital home in Godalming, Surrey, where he is currently living. Cheryl reportedly stayed there overnight with him three weeks ago, but it is thought the pair did not spend the night together.
A source said: 'Who knows what is going to happen in the future with them? Ashley is a predator, he likes a challenge, and Cheryl is so tired and emotional that she may just give in.'
Why id Cheryl wear her nightdress to her party? .
- Stormtrooper, Bucks, 03/7/2011 02:33
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