Behind the scenes with Cheryl Cole in Afghanistan

'Nothing would have stopped me': Fearless Cheryl Cole says she was ready for anything in Afghanistan, even being held at gunpoint

By Marcus Barnes

Last updated at 12:50 AM on 4th October 2011



Cheryl Cole has admitted that she was frightened by the training she received before her trip to Afghanistan but she revealed that nothing would have stopped her traveling to the middle east to boost the morale of British troops.

The 28-year-old singer went on the visit to British troops last month and says she was prepared for the worst - including having a gun held to her head.

She braved the dangers of war to spend time with troops in the treacherous Helmand Province.

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In the thick of it: Cheryl Cole takes part in a demonstration by 42 Commando Royal Marines in Helmand Province conducting a compound clearance followed by a casualty evacuation via a Chinook helicopter

Up close and personal: The singer witnessed dramatic demonstrations during her time with British troops in Afghanistan

Cheryl, who was followed by the Daily Mirror as part of their Pride Of Britain awards, revealed to the newspaper: 'Before I went out I was given war training which was pretty full-on and quite scary.

'They warn you about coping with all kinds of scary scenarios - things like having a gun put to your head.

'I was warned before I went out there that it could be dangerous. But nothing was going to stop me from going. And I'm just so glad I did.'

Trigger happy: Cheryl waits to be handed a rifle by one of the troops during her morale-boosting visit

Left, right, left, right!: The former X Factor judge is put though her paces in a training session

The former X Factor judge took part in a demonstration by 42 Commando Royal Marines conducting a compound clearance followed by a casualty evacuation via a Chinook helicopter.

She said that she had never experienced so much dust in her life after the helicopter came in to extract the casualty.

Cheryl also spent time with members of the Afghan national army, as well as our own British troops.

Taking it in her stride: Cheryl said she'd been scared during pre-Afghanistan training but she ready for anything - even a gun to the head

No messing around: She was placed in real-life situations during the demonstration - here a 'casualty' is tended to while they await help

She added: 'Afghanistan was an unbelievable experience. The whole trip was incredible. The men and women I met out there were inspirational, and so amazingly brave and dedicated.

'I've stayed in touch with some of the troops through Twitter and they've been sending nice messages. It was a privilege to see what goes on out there.'

Cheryl also revealed she had exchanged numbers with one soldier and was planning to call him.

What a carry on: Cheryl joins in as troops carry a 'casualty' to their pick up point

In the driving seat: Cheryl also took charge of a Jackal vehicle during the visit to Camp Bastion

She said: 'Not only are the soldiers incredibly brave, a few were also incredibly cute. I came back with a phone number.

'He started chatting to me - I think it was for a dare - after I'd been 'shot' during a training exercise. It wasn't real ammunition but it was still terrifying.

'I think I'll call him this week and we'll see what happens. I'm sure he's not expecting me to ring but that's why it'll be funny - and that's why I'm going to do it.'

Keeping watch: Cheryl crouches beside a soldier from 1 RIFLES during an exercise at Camp Bastion in which soldiers carried out a patrol, held a shura and dealt with a casualty

Safety first: The singer makes sure her helmet is securely attached to her head as she prepare to get involved in a demonstration with the troops

She travelled to Helmand Province to mark 10 years of British operations in the country.

Cheryl boarded a troop carrier plane at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire for a 12-hour flight in the middle of last month, having previously undergone hostile environment training to prepare her for the trip.

On the way to Afghanistan, Cheryl made herself useful on the flight, serving drinks and dinners of sausages and mash to her fellow passengers, who were flying out for a six-month tour.

Fighting spirit: Cheryl met troops from 3 Commando Brigade who are serving as Task Force Helmand and personnel from Joint Force Support in Afghanistan who are currently deployed on Operation Herrick

Once in the Helmand Province, Cheryl was given her own army fatigues and took part in a mock gun fight, which she deemed 'terrifying'.
She added: 'I went into the room and heard an explosion.
'It was scary. I was terrified. I'm not ashamed to say I screamed and uttered a few expletives.'

Lifting spirits: Troops were buoyed by Cheryl's appearance - here she poses with members of the Afghan National Army

Task Force Helmand chief, ­Lt Col Tim Purbrick, told the Daily Mirror: 'Cheryl was not afraid to get her shoes dirty.

'When everyone heard she was coming we did not know what to expect as she’s a huge star.

'But whatever ­preconceptions we had went out of the window as soon as we met her.

'Her smile is infectious, she was up for doing everything we suggested. She was like one of the lads.'

Happy to be here: The Girls Aloud star poses with members of 3 Commando Brigade's Brigade Reconnaissance Force, an elite unit of soldiers and Marines who are part of 30 Commando Royal Marines

Cheryl added: 'I always had admiration for what the guys do out here, but seeing them here at work is awe inspiring.

'I'm delighted to be here to recognise all the hard work they do. Every one of them is a hero in my book.'

One solider said of Cheryl's trip: 'She's a stunner and having her out here has lifted morale.

She's probably the biggest star to visit. Fair play to her, it's a dangerous place to come.'

More Video footage here

Behind the scenes with Cheryl Cole in Afghanistan

3 October 2011
Afghanistan By Laura Hawkins

British Forces News was given exclusive behind the scenes access during Cheryl Cole's visit to Camp Bastion to film with soldiers for tonight's Daily Mirror Pride of Britain awards.
The former X Factor judge made the 12-hour flight from RAF Brize Norton last month.

The 28-year-old star's trip coincided with the 10th anniversary of British operations in the country and she said she was "delighted" to make the trip.
She told Forces News how she had learned so much about what the military was doing there.

As part of the visit, the Girls Aloud singer met British soldiers, sailors and airmen, with one of the troops even handing her his phone number!