Cheryl Cole and Derek Hough ‘are a couple’

Cheryl Cole and her dancer pal Derek Hough are a couple, says ‘X Factor’ pal.

Show choreographer Brian Friedman, 33, has met up with them since they flew to Los Angeles nearly two weeks ago.

“I’m very close to them both. They’re amazing people and make a great couple,” the Mirror quoted Friedman as saying.

“I thought they would make a good couple and I’m so pleased to say they do. They’re very, very cute together.

“Cheryl and Derek both seem incredibly happy right now, that’s all I can say,” Friedman added.

It is the first time a friend of either Cole, 27, or US dancer Hough, 25, has spoken publicly about their relationship.