Cheryl Cole 'owes former bodyguard 70k'
Craig Balkam claims that he hasn't "been paid a cent" for protecting the singer during her three-month stint in America last year, when she made a brief appearance on The X Factor USA before being axed.
The minder decided to speak out after it emerged that Cole is suing the producers of the show for $2.3 million (1.4m), which includes reimbursement for the cost of her personal security.
The lawsuit claims she is owed her salary for season two of The X Factor USA as part of her pay-or-play contract, which means she would be compensated even if she was released from her contract.
According to The Sun, Balkam told a friend: "She's got a lot of nerve - she's ignored all my requests for payment.
"She has around 30 million in the bank and could pay me tomorrow with a click of her fingers, but is refusing to."
His friend added: "Craig would have taken a bullet for that girl. He can't believe what's happened."
He has since spoken to a lawyer about suing Cole. Her spokesman declined to comment.
Photo gallery - Cheryl Cole's 'A Million Lights' tour in Belfast:
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