I ALWAYS had CHERYL COLE down as a tough cookie.

But it turns out she’s just a big softie with a weird phobia of cotton wool.

The gorgeous GIRLS ALOUD singer and X Factor judge can’t stand the stuff and won’t have it anywhere near her.

In the band’s upcoming autobiography Dreams That Glitter, she reveals: “I hate cotton wool. I went to the dentist the other day and he put it in my mouth and I felt violated for the whole day.

“I never use it, not for taking make-up off or anything. Even when I get my nails done they use tissues. Just the feel of it . . . it squeaks. Urgh. I can’t bear it.”

In case you’re interested, Cheryl, your phobia has a name . . . bambakomallophobia!

(c) The Sun