George Stephanopoulos

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g2EYAufajG8endofvid
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By Chris Johnson

On form: Cheryl Cole was united on stage with Rufus Hound on Sport Relief last night after he did a hilarious performance of her hit Fight For The Love

Cheryl Cole did her bit for charity last night on Sport Relief as she made her first British TV appearance since her separation from husband Ashley.

The 26-year-old star was brought on stage laughing and clapping following comic Rufus Hound's hilarious performance of her hit Fight For This Love.

Cole told the bearded funnyman 'it's like looking in a mirror' after he performed the routine on the BBC1 Sport Relief show.

If she was feeling low over her marital woes, the X Factor judge, who was suffering from bronchitis last week, did a very good job at hiding it.

Minutes later, the Girls Aloud star took to the stage again to perform her ballroom dancing routine to her new song Parachute.

Looking stunning in an LBD complete with flowing train - and minus her wedding ring - the star was given a huge cheer from the studio audience following her efforts.

Stunning: The Girls Aloud star laughed and clapped as she was brought on stage

Brave: She chatted with presenters Christine Bleakley and Gary Lineker as she made her first UK TV appearance since her separation from husband Ashley

Cheryl pictured leaving the BBC studios

Hound, who won this year's Let's Dance for Sport Relief with his impersonation of Cole, copied her military-themed outfit complete with trousers split at the side which showed off his legs.

Cheryl joked: 'You have put so much work into it you have even split your trousers.'

She added that watching Hound's victory last weekend had cheered her up while she was ill in bed.

Cole pulled out of a string of appearances, including a spot on chat show Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, after being struck down with a bout of bronchitis.

The illness followed a difficult few weeks for the singer who announced her split from footballer husband Ashley Cole last month after reports that the England and Chelsea star had been repeatedly unfaithful.

In an interview with The Sun this week, Rufus, 31, revealed: 'One of my dancers, who is also one of Cheryl's backing dancers, told me he spoke to her and said, 'She loves it - she thinks it's the funniest thing'.

Comedy value: Rufus, wearing a long wig, peaked cap, black leotard and slashed harem pants, struts his stuff

Now for the professional: Cheryl performed her hit Parachute

Looking good: She put her marriage woes behind her as she strutted around

'The idea that during a rough time she got a giggle out of it is really nice.'

After her performance to Parachute, Cheryl told host Richard Hammond that it felt good to be dressed up all glamorous this time round.

Last year she climbed Africa's Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief, which saw her in rather less dazzling attire.

Dancing through the pain: Cheryl asked viewers to pick up the phone and donate

Entertaining: She was accompanied by a host of male backing dancers

She added: '[Being dressed like this] feels quite nice in comparison. Doing Kili was the hardest thing I've ever done in my life.'

Other highlights of the night included James Corden and David Beckham's skit together, filmed before the former England captain's devastating injury to his Achilles tendon which has put paid to his World Cup dreams this summer.

Sultry: The singer performed a series of ballroom dancing moves in the song

Working her magic: She wore an LBD complete with flowing train

The Gavin And Stacey star and sportsman shared a bath together and also got all emotional as they held hands in bed watching Scott (Jason Donovan) and Charlene (Kylie Minogue) getting married in Neighbours.

As they watched the Australian soap, a teary Becks says: 'Don't you think they are amazing together those two,' to which Corden replies: 'I think we're amazing together'

Pampering: James Corden and David Beckham appeared together in a hilarious skit which saw the pair slip into their fluffy dressing gowns

Time to relax: The Gavin And Stacey star and sportsman share a warm bubble bath

The duo's me-time, in which they are seen in fluffy robes, is part of a star-studded sketch in which Corden's Gavin And Stacey character Smithy coaches a series of top stars including Andy Murray, Tom Daley, Jenson Button and the Manchester United squad featuring Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand.

And after his hard work, Smithy takes a well-earned break, for a night in with the image-conscious LA Galaxy star.

Away from the prying eyes of Victoria and Nessa, the boys indulge in a spot of preening.

Emotional: Getting tearful as they watch an episode of neighbours where Scott and Charlene get married

Affectionate: Becks filmed the sketch before his injury on Sunday

Earlier in the evening, viewers were treated to a special edition of Strictly Come Dancing, hosted by Tess Daly, which saw Dragons' Den stars Duncan Bannatyne and Peter Jones go head to head on the dance floor.

And it was Peter who ended up lifting the glitter ball trophy after dancing with professional Natalie Lowe.

There was also a special spoof of the One Show with Jon Culshaw impersonating Adrian Chiles and and Debra Stephenson as Christine Bleakley.

Winner: Tess Daly presented a special edition of Strictly which saw Dragons' Den star Peter Jones, partnered by professional Natalie Lowe, lift the glitter ball trophy

Hard luck: Fellow Dragon Duncan Bannatyne, with his dancing partner Lilia Kopylova, lost out

In the sketch they interview boxer David Haye, before the real Adrian and Christine come and take over and kick the imposters off the green sofa.

Bleakley, who along with Gary Lineker opened the Sport Relief show, admitted she was nervous about watching the skit.

It was also revealed that the presenter managed to raise a staggering £1,321,623 after water skiing across the English Channel last week.

All cash raised by Sport Relief helps transform the lives of those living tough lives across the UK and the world’s poorest countries.