Ashley Cole and Cheryl Cole walking hand in hand, arrive at their hotel, London, England - 03.12.08

Cole and Beckham struck up a friendship during the 2006 World Cup, when both their husbands - David Beckham and Ashley Cole - played for the England soccer team.

But last year (08), The X Factor judge Cole was rocked by allegations her athlete partner had enjoyed a fling on an alcohol-fuelled night out with his teammates.

And Cole admits she was hurt by Beckham's lack of contact through the difficult period, especially as she has had to endure similar accusations of infidelity about her husband, David.

Cole tells U.K. Vogue magazine about her disappointment, "I mean, David's (Beckham) mum is friends with Ashley's (Cole) mum; she (Beckham) was in my hotel room the whole time during the World Cup - we've had barbecues together - so I was quite shocked by that."

But the singer insists she still cares for her former friend - insisting she hates the way the press portray Beckham in a negative light.

She adds, "It's not fair the way the press pick on her... Nobody should endure that sort of vilification... I mean, to be honest, I feel sorry for her."

Source: WENN