American TV honchos have urged Cheryl Cole to dump her dancer pal Derek Hough in a bid to raise her US profile.
Executives have bluntly told her that splitting with Hough is the place to start.
Friends of the new US 'X Factor' presenter, 27, said she is torn over what to do about dancer Hough, 26, who she has been dating for nearly a year.
"Derek may be dreaming of worldwide stardom but he's seen as a small-time dancer on a TV show... and pretty uncool," the Mirror quoted the pal saying.
"TV executives are thinking that if she's going to win over Hollywood, she'd be better off doing it as a sassy and single girl-about-town," the pal added.
A friend close to Girls Aloud singer said: "Cheryl is torn. She is still very fond of Derek. However, part of her also wonders if her new life in America is the right time for a fresh start without Derek at her side".
"Show producers have told her that being single would do wonders for her image. And there would be no shortage of guys in LA lining up to go on a date with Cheryl," the friend added.
