Cheryl Cole receives front page apology from Now magazine over allegations based on hoax emails

Cheryl Cole has received a front page apology from Now magazine over false claims that the popstar was in a relationship with MC Harvey.

The original article was published last February and claimed that Cole was in a secret relationship with ex-So Solid Crew member MC Harvey- real name Michael Harvey Jr.

The front cover of the latest issue reads: “Sorry Cheryl, there was no romance with Harvey- we got it wrong.” The Girls Aloud star has been awarded damages and legal costs.

The allegations were based on “several hundred emails, written over a six-month period apparently between Cheryl, her mother and Michael” seen by the magazine. However, the emails were found not to be genuine.

“They appear to be the work of a calculated and meticulous hoaxer masquerading as Cheryl who went to great lengths to deceive Mr Harvey,” read the apology printed inside the magazine.

Now went ahead with the story despite denials made by Cole, who took to Twitter to deny the romance with Harvey after her split from footballer Ashley Cole. “Was this ‘relationship’ happening in your head @harveyofficial?” she wrote.

The magazine acknowledged in the apology “there was never any relationship between Cheryl and Michael and we were wrong not to accept Cheryl’s denial.”

Following publication of the latest Now edition, Cole posted a photo of the full apology on her official website, saying: “Here you go…#apology and I am now satisfied that you are F***ING LIARS!!!!!” She also tweeted: “#nowmagazine #expensivelies #muggedoff #whohasgoteggontheirface?”