Cheryl Cole was left in tears when she received a Christmas card from her ex-husband Ashley Cole.

The British pop star got "choked up" when she received the festive message wishing her all the best for 2011 from the England soccer player Ashley, who she divorced in September after separating from him in February when she discovered he had cheated on her with several women.

A source said: "Cheryl felt quite choked up at being sent the card. After all that has happened between them she thought it was a nice gesture.

"It has been a difficult year and as anyone who has been in love knows, the holidays can bring a lot of nostalgia."

The 28-year-old singer has had an emotional rollercoaster of a year, as well as the divorce she had to battle back from the brink of death after catching malaria in the summer.

Cheryl is now preparing to spend Christmas at home with her family, and has chose to spend it in her hometown of Newcastle rather than jet off to Los Angeles to see her rumoured boyfriend Derek Hough

Though 'Dancing with the Stars' hunk Derek, 25, is said to be disappointed with her decision he has sent her a gift of diamo.