Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole’s weight is said to have plunged again following her split from footballer hubby Ashley, as she has been only on a diet of peppermint tea.

Cheryl, 26, who is holed up at the Surrey home she shared with Ashley, has barely eaten for three weeks and has lost 5lbs, leaving friends worried for her health.

Friends have revealed that the heartbroken singer is so upset about her break-up with the soccer star she has no interest in food.

“Cheryl was really happy with her weight and appearance before Christmas. She had put some weight on and was comfortable. But since the latest storm broke she has lost her appetite completely,” the Sun quoted a friend as saying.

“All she will touch is peppermint tea. Her mum has been cooking up lovely homemade soup but she is not interested. The house is full of fresh food and bags of shopping which have gone completely untouched.

“She has lost at least five pounds, which on her tiny frame is a lot. Last week she channelled all her anger into rehearsing for her Brits appearance and that burned off a lot of calories,” the friend added.