Cheryl Cole: Her Story - the Unauthorized Biography by Gerard Sanderson Read Free Book Online Page B

his boyband looks and confident vocals, many felt had what it took to make it all the way to the final stages of the competition. No one was surprised then when the judges decided he would be one of the final fifteen. However, his journey getting to this stage almost came to an abrupt halt when he arrived at the first auditions in Manchester. When he swaggered in to meet the judges, all three were impressed by his looks, with Geri in particular captivated by his handsome boyband features and his astonishing green eyes. However, one thing bugged her – his George Michael-style beard. ‘Lose the beard and come back and see us,’ she advised encouragingly.
    Desperate to impress, the gorgeous Jacob went away anddid just that, returning shortly afterwards clean-shaven and slick, and looking even more irresistible than before. And it was these dashing looks that caught Cheryl’s eye on the first day of auditions. Better still, when they spoke, they discovered that they had a lot in common and conversation came reassuringly easily. Frustratingly their schedule over the week had put paid to their getting to know each other as well as they’d hoped, so the pair certainly made sure that this last night in London was not a wasted opportunity. After talking for a while, it was clear that they both wanted to be more than just friends.
    But while Cheryl was lost in Jacob’s attentions, little did she know that her joy was causing heartache for another of her fellow Popstars wannabes. Sixteen-year-old Jamie Shaw, who would eventually land a place in the final Popstars boyband One True Voice, had fallen head over heels in love with the Geordie beauty.
    ‘When I saw Cheryl for the first time at boot camp I was immediately smitten,’ he remembers. ‘Out of all the girls, she really stood out in the crowd with her cute dimples and quirky attitude. I thought she was just beautiful. At the start she seemed quite shy but as she progressed through the competition she came out of her shell. But I think that was because the judges were blown away with her looks and her performances and gave her a lot of positive feedback and compliments. I think she felt her confidence grow.’
    Jamie’s crush became very difficult for him to deal with as the week progressed. He knew that he didn’t stand a chance with her, especially now knowing that Cheryl and Jacob were an item. ‘He was so manly and handsome, the competition was a little tough for me,’ he confessed. ‘But he was a really nice guyand Cheryl seemed absolutely besotted by him. I have to admit I was so jealous. But I was just happy to be her friend. She was so kind and so caring. Sometimes we’d sit in her room and talk about all sorts; about our families, our lives. She told me personal things about her family that I will never tell because I still respect the fact that she confided in me and she listened to me.’
    The next day, after the party, and oblivious to the fact that she had left a broken-hearted young man behind her, Cheryl headed back home where she would have to endure the long wait to find out if she would be chosen for the final ten girls. After a week of such emotional highs and lows, life back home was something of an anti-climax. Much as she loved to be back with her family, she found it incredibly frustrating. She knew now more than ever that she wanted to make it into the band. Her week in London had been so amazing, and she had experienced a taste of what life might be like for her if she made the final cut. She had sung her heart out, danced her feet off and tried to soak up as much advice as she could from her mentors.
    Cheryl had also found love – or what she thought might be the early stages of love. And while she waited for the day when the judges would put the wannabes out of their misery, at least she had Jacob. Luckily they were able to keep in touch with one other by phone and arranged to meet again whatever the outcome of the competition.
    Then, a few