Cheryl: My 15 hours of pain
TOUGH cookie Cheryl Cole endured FIFTEEN hours of agony for her spectacular new tattoo.
The Geordie singer, 29, unveiled a massive red rose design on her lower back to her adoring home crowd on Thursday night during the first gig of the Girls Aloud reunion tour.
Tattoo lover Cheryl, who has at least 19 others on her body, told how she went through the pain barrier for her latest and possibly her last.
Speaking exclusively backstage at Newcastles Metro Radio Arena, she said: It was really painful but I think Im done with tattoos now. It wasnt for any particular reason, I just liked the design. It took 15 hours in total.
Reddy to rumble ... Nicola, Nadine, Sarah, Kimberley and Cheryl
Dave Hogan
She showed it off with pride on Thursday, teaming it with huge, red angel wings, a pink tutu and jewelled Jimmy Choo heels.
And, although she chose her homecoming gig to reveal the intricate floral inking, she had it done as long ago as last September.
She said: I actually got it five months ago but its somewhere on my body you wouldnt expect people to see it very often.
It was done by this amazing artist called Nikko Hurtado who basically travels round the world going to conventions.
Cheryl also revealed how she wanted the whole band to get a tattoo to mark their long-awaited comeback. She said: I was up for getting a small something done for the reunion but the girls arent quite so keen.
Bandmate Nicola Roberts joked: Im too pale for a tattoo it would stand out like a sore thumb. I might just get a dot like Phoebe from Friends.
Showgirl ... Nicola Roberts in Native America headdress
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However, Cheryls new tattoo got a mixed reaction online from Girls Aloud fans, with! some dubbing it chavvy and vile.
Jordan Galey posted on Twitter: Cheryl Coles new tattoo is the definition of tramp stamp absolutely awful.
Mrs N Holland added: Looks like the skins been ripped off her back to reveal the flesh underneath. And Amy Howell tweeted: Cheryl Coles new tattoo actually just caused me to physically gag.
But it seemed to go down better with her male fans. Glen Parke tweeted: Cheryl Cole is looking absolutely banging with her new tattoo #loveyou. Cheeky Gordon Bell added: A lot of folk are complaining about Cheryl Coles new tattoo. I wouldnt mind getting a closer look at it.
Cheryls other inkings include a Polynesian tribal symbol on her hand, barbed wire around her thigh and a reptile creeping across her bottom.
Haunchy routine ... Cheryl Cole gets closer to fans
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She previously revealed she would like to cover her WHOLE BACK, adding: They are addictive, they really are. If it was up to me and I could be brave for one day I would have my whole back done. My friends say, Cheryl, please, you might regret it but to me, its art.
She added: You should have whatever you want and do what you want whats beautiful is being you. People are too judgmental and have too much to say about other people.
Tattoos are reflective of peoples personalities. Im always drawn to people who have them. You either like them and youre attracted to body art or youre not. I just am.
Cheryl, who is now dating backing dancer Tre Holloway, also has Mrs C tattooed on the back of her neck from her wedding to footballer Ashley Cole.
But she is planning to get it removed or replaced and she kept it hidden by her hair at the concert on Thursday.
The group Cheryl, Nicola and bandmates Sarah Harding, Kimberley Walsh and Nadine Coyle end their 21-night tour on March 20 in Liverpool.
White hot ... Girls Aloud lap up the applause
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