Who is Sharon Canu? As Ashley Cole weds Cheryl lookalike, a look at the Italian model and mother-of-two who made the former lothario 'a great dad and better person'
Ashley Cole and Sharon Canu tied the knot in Rome over the weekend in front of friends, family and their two children, cementing their nine year romance.
The former England star is well-known for a host of reasons including his 20 year football career, his marriage to Cheryl and his extramarital indiscretions.
Yet, little is known of his bride, who Ashley, now a first team coach with Everton, met in 2014 during his two-year stint playing for her native Italy's A.S. Roma.
Ashley has praised Sharon for helping make him 'a better person', having previously been an 'angry kid' falling out of nightclubs - yet is now a self-professed 'great dad'.
So who is the stunning model who has transformed the former love rat?
Happy days: Ashley Cole and Sharon Canu tied the knot in Rome over the weekend in front of friends, family and their two children, cementing their nine year romance
Loved-up: Yet, little is known of his bride, who Ashley, now a first team coach with Everton, met in 2014 during his two-year stint playing for her native Italy's A.S. Roma (pictured in 2016)
Sweet: The couple share son Jaxon, six, and four-year-old daughter Grace (pictured last year)
Way back when: Sharon bears more than a striking resemblance to Ashley's ex-wife Cheryl, who he wed in 2006 before parting ways in 2010 after a host of cheating scandals
Loved-up: The couple married in front of their nearest and dearest over the weekend
LIFE BEFORE ASHLEY
Sharon is from Italy and lists one of her locations as Rome on Instagram as well as London and Los Angeles, as the family split their time between their Surrey home and LA from Ashley's stint playing for LA Galaxy.
The stunner worked as a model prior to finding love with Ashley.
In 2015, she shared one of her modelling shots on Instagram following a collaboration with Music/Video Production & Distribution company JB Production.
Through social media, Sharon shows she has a taste for the finer things in life with a host of swanky holidays and upmarket dinners.
Hot stuff: Sharon is from Italy and lists one of her locations as Rome on Instagram as well as London and Los Angeles, as the family split their time between their Surrey home and LA from Ashley's stint playing for LA Galaxy (pictured in 2015)
Loved-up: The couple frequently feature on their respective social media accounts
ENGAGEMENT, BABIES AND MARRIAGE
Ashley was signed to Roma in 2014, after which he met Sharon and enjoyed their romance before closed doors before he announced their engagement last year.
He shared the news on Instagram, after which she told her Instagram followers in a sweeet post that her response was the "easiest yes she'd ever said".
The couple share son Jaxon, six, and four-year-old daughter Grace.
Sweet: Ashley was signed to Roma in 2014, after which he met Sharon and enjoyed their romance before closed doors before he announced their engagement last year (pictured in 2018)
Cosy: Sharon frequently shares cosy snaps with Ashley, with the couple looking loved-up
Easy decision: After Ashley popped the question, Sharon later told her Instagram followers it was the 'easiest yes she'd ever said'
CELEBRITY PALS
Since moving to the UK, Sharon has formed a close friendship with TOWIE star Sam Faiers, who attended her raucous hen do last month.
As well as Sam, she has has also had a close exchange with Drake, with whom she posed for a cosy photo before watching a concert from the wings in 2015.
Sharon has scored friendships with a legion of fellow WAGs, including her wedding guests such as Christine Lampard and Toni Terry.
Stunner: Since moving to the UK, Sharon has formed a close friendship with TOWIE star Sam Faiers, who attended her raucous hen do last year
Nice! As well as Sam, she has has also had a close exchange with Drake, with whom she posed for a cosy photo before watching a concert from the wings in 2015 (pictured in 2015)
Rock on: In 2015, she shared an image showing she had watched Drake in the wings at one of his Italian concerts
CHANGED MAN
Since meeting Sharon, Ashley has praised the stunner for helping transform him given his prior failings as a husband with Cheryl.
He professed that she has helped him become 'a better man'.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Ashley said: 'These are the things I focus on now – my kids and my girlfriend. It's a different me. I'm more of a family man now. You won't see me in nightclubs anymore, you'll see me at a park pushing my kids.'
He added: 'I was a young, angry kid at the time, and now I've grown up and understand the things I did is life, it happens...
Happier days: Cheryl and Ashley met in 2004 and tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at Wrotham Park in July 2006 (pictured in 2005)
'Not just me, but with certain situations, loads of other people have done [the same]. I've learnt from it, it's made me a better person. It's made me a great dad.'
Cheryl and Ashley met in 2004 and tied the knot in a lavish ceremony at Wrotham Park in July 2006.
To mark the celebrations Cheryl got a 'Mrs Cole' tattoo on her neck to mark her commitment to Ashley.
Less than two years later, the relationship was rocked when Ashley's first alleged indiscretion was made public - this time a romp with hairdresser Aimee Walton, who sold her story.
It was reported he was so drunk during the romp that he vomited.
In 2010, it was claimed that Ashley had bedded four more women, reportedly offering one £10k in hush money. In February of that year, Cheryl announced their split after finding racy images on his phone.
In September, the duo were granted a quickie divorce, after which Cheryl reportedly uttered: 'Thank God the nightmare is over.'
Cheryl went on to marry Jean-Bernard Fernandez-Versini for two years and later had a baby with her now-ex Liam Payne.
Changes: While Cheryl and Ashley's romance was highly-publicised, he has been more guarded with Sharon (pictured in 2006)
Before: The nuptials come 12 years after his four year marriage to pop star Cheryl, 40, ended
Moving on: The wedding comes after his split from megastar Cheryl
WEDDING
Following their 17 months engagement, the couple wed in a lavish Italian ceremony over the weekend and a host of celebrity pals were invited.
The couple said 'I do' abroad in front of family and friends - including Frank and Christine Lampard, John Terry and Sam Faiers and her partner Paul Knightley.
Guests were invited to the Hotel La Vecchia Posta in Ladispoli to take part in the celebrations which included a fireworks display and a live orchestra.
At the reception the newlyweds and their guests danced the night away as John Terry took hold of the microphone to lead a singalong.
A source told The Sun earlier this month about the wedding: 'Ashley and Sharon are madly in love and have spent months planning their special day. They met in 2014 when he joined AS Roma and now they are returning to the city for their nuptials.
'Loads of her family live there and it’s romantic – it’s going to be very special. They have put lots of money into it but they have only invited close friends and family.
'As a couple they have been very private so they don’t feel the need for a flashy, public wedding.'
Nuptials: A number of guests shared images and videos of the wedding on social media where Sharon stunned in a lace off the shoulder dress
Lovely: Celebrations included a fireworks display and a live orchestra after they enjoyed Champagne on the balcony of the stunning cliff-side venue
Singalong: The couple were inseparable during their pre-wedding party
