Just last week, she denied that she was dating — but Cheryl Cole and Derek Hough apparently showed off their love with a public kiss as they celebrated the New Year in South Africa.
Dancing With The Stars hoofer Hough, 26, also reportedly bought the 27-year-old X Factor judge a £10,000 (Dh57,338) diamond bracelet as a love token.
It comes as one of Hough's closest friends, dance trainer Corky Ballas, 50, wrote on his Twitter page: ‘I don't think it's a secret they're dating.'
Hough whisked Cole away for a week-long break to mark the end of what the Girls Aloud star judge has described as "the worst of my life" after she divorced from Ashley Cole and almost died from malaria following her visit to Tanzania six months ago.
The pair are staying in a luxury beachside villa in the Camps Bay resort a few miles outside Cape Town and saw in 2011 at a £1 million house party apparently thrown by American property mogul Preston Haskell.
It was there, in front of the assembled revellers, that the couple sealed their love with a passionate kiss after toasting each other with champagne as the midnight chimes rang out.
The Sunday Mirror reports that a source close to the couple said: "Cheryl and Derek are together and don't care who knows it."
It's also said that Hough held Cole in his arms as they watched a fireworks display explode over the skyline.
Talking to Alan Carr on his Chatty Man show last week, Cole insisted she was still single following her divorce from Chelsea and England player Ashley, 29.
She said: "I've had no time. A lady doesn't talk about these things."
