Black Eyed Peas star Will.i.am is taking a
break from the US band to help his Geordie pal Cheryl Cole launch her career in
the US.

According to The Sun, the American rapper
recently met with Cheryl to discuss the plans and she was even suggested as a
replacement for Fergie in the band when she takes a break but it would have
clashed with Girls Aloud’s music comeback.