British pop star Cheryl Cole is dropping her last name as she prepares for a career comeback.

The Girls Aloud star has decided to ditch her marital surname and be known simply as "Cheryl" after splitting from British soccer star Ashley Cole in 2010.

The singer filed for divorce from the England international ace following allegations he had cheated on her with a string of women.

A source tells The Sun on Sunday, "Cheryl is beginning a new chapter in her life so she doesn't want to be associated with negative stuff from the past.

"She's not removing Cole legally, it's just a career statement. She's in a really good place at the moment and wants to take life by the balls. She can't wait to start performing live again and her new stage name has given her comeback an extra bit of spice."

Cheryl will launch her latest assault on the charts when she releases new single "Call My Name" later this month.