Cheryl Cole was reportedly shocked and upset to receive a £1,000 bouquet of flowers from her estranged husband Ashley

According to Heat, the footballer made the gesture as part of a last-ditch effort to win back Cheryl after their split. It is claimed that Ashley hoped to visit Cheryl while she was on tour in Ireland but that she told her security staff not to let him near the venue or her hotel.

A source told the publication: “Ashley has tried literally everything to get Cheryl back. But she’s having none of it. He wanted to surprise her, but once Cheryl found out about it, she went ballistic. She thought he was trying to trap her into having a conversion that she doesn’t want to have.”

Of the flowers, they added: “Cheryl was nervous before the gig, as this is her first big solo tour. When she saw the flowers she was shocked and upset.

“Ashley is conceding for the first time that it might be all over for good. He’s told his mates that divorce is the most likely outcome now.”

At the weekend, Ashley scored the last goal in the dying moments of Chelsea’s 8-0 victory over Wigan Athletic, with the win making his team Premier League champions.