Do we look like WAGs yet? Ashley Cole's student 'friends' enjoy their newfound fame in LA

By Ben Todd and Sara Nathan

'Hi, I can't talk right now, I'm being papped': Eleanor Hartley (right) chats on her mobile as she walks along Sunset Boulevard with friend Melissa Naik


Of course, the main difference is a real WAG wouldn't be seen dead walking along the busy streets of Sunset Boulevard - preferring to rent an expensive convertible Mercedes or BMW.

The two friends have been spotted spending time with Chelsea and England defender Cole since he arrived in Los Angeles for a post-World Cup holiday last weekend.

Unlike previous women linked to Cole, the well-heeled backgrounds of the footballer's latest companions might come as some surprise.

English university students Melissa Naik and Eleanor Hartley have claimed they are 'just friends' with their new footballer acquaintance Ashley Cole.

But spotted walking near their hotel on Hollywood's famous Sunset Boulevard yesterday, it appeared the 20-year-old brunettes were auditioning to be WAGs.

Wearing oversized sunglasses and with their thick glossy hair hanging down, the pair looked like typical WAGs as they strolled in the sunshine.


Hitting the streets: The two women walk past the Body Shop strip club


Both are privately educated. One is studying at the prestigious London College Of Fashion; the other has just completed the second year of her degree in Manchester.

But Ms Naik and Ms Hartley - who both attended the £10,000-a-year Sheffield High School for girls - have clearly chosen to celebrate their end-of-year exams in unconventional style.

The Mail has learned the pair first met Cole - whose estranged wife Cheryl is in hospital recovering from malaria - at a nightclub in central London.

The Jet Black venue classifies itself as a 'modern day Moulin Rouge where the most beautiful and exotic Parisian dancers collide with tattooed LA rock chicks and Vegas show girls'.


Nice view: Ashley Cole can't take his eyes off new friend Melissa Naik as they relax poolside


Stunning figure: The 20-year-old student showed off her amazing figure in a black thong bikini as her mother confirmed that she and Cole were just friends


According to sources, the pair befriended the footballer at the venue and then went to California where he is on holiday with friends including fellow England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips.

A friend of Cole said: 'The pair of them did not hide the fact they were going to see Ashley out there.

'He was pleased - albeit a little surprised - though when they met up because he just knew them from a London nightclub.


Friends: Ashley seemed rather taken with the young, pretty student


'They met Ashley via some of the younger Chelsea players. They have become quite well-known on the club scene and the footballer circuit. But this is their first Premier League catch.'

Since arriving in the U.S., the pair have been photographed enjoying evenings out with Cole, dressed in short skirts and low-cut tops.

They were also by his side in bikinis as they sunbathed at the exclusive Mondrian Hotel in Hollywood.


Relaxing in the sun: The pair are joined by friends as they make the most of the heat


Their appearance, however, comes as no surprise to some former school friends.

One told the Mail yesterday that Miss Hartley had 'dreamed' of following in the footsteps of Katie Price - aka tawdry glamour model Jordan - for a number of years.

It is all a far cry from the pair's upbringing in the suburbs of Sheffield.

Miss Naik is the daughter of dentist Michelle Naik, owner of the Occudental practice which boasts a patient base of 6,700.

Explaining the actions of her daughter and her friend, Mrs Naik said: 'They are just friends. The girls are just on holiday celebrating after completing their university exams. They're good girls.'


Sun-worshipping: Miss Naik and pal Ellie Hartley show off their enviable bikini bodies


Her GP father last night also denied Miss Naik was romantically linked to Cole.

Speaking outside his plush £500,000 home in the leafy suburb of Whirlow in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, Rav Naik said: 'She's my daughter. She's on holiday in LA. There is no story.'

Miss Hartley, meanwhile, the daughter of a successful property developer, is studying at the London College of Fashion.

She has claimed she was one of only 30 out of 3,000 applicants in 2008 to receive a place at the prestigious college.


Student lifestyle: Ashley enjoyed the attention of several new acquaintances, including Miss Naik, on a night out in Los Angeles


Her academic qualifications certainly show her intellect.

She secured ten GCSEs - four A*s, five As and one B.

Her A-level results were equally outstanding, with three As and one B.

However, Miss Hartley has also attempted to embark on a modelling career, dropping the name Eleanor for the more exotic Elle or Ella.

From the age of 16 she had a been a 'ring card' girl at a number of boxing bouts.

And after she moved to London, her modelling career took on a even seedier hue. She applied to modelling agents and took part in a series of risqué photoshoots.

She also began frequenting nightclubs popular with leading footballers, where she and Miss Naik eventually came upon Cole.

Despite her wild antics with Cole and her modelling career, her mother Susan Hartley said last night her daughter would behave herself.

Mrs Hartley said: 'I trust Elle. Cheryl Cole is an icon to both Elle and Melissa and they wouldn't dream of doing anything like that at all.

'They are just two girls partying in LA and someone has taken a picture of them with a celebrity. It's opened their eyes to what can happen if you mix in these circles.'


Coincidence: Miss Naik's mother also said it was 'coincidence' the girls are staying at the same hotel as Ashley


Mrs Hartley, a widowed disability support worker, also insisted her daughter had not gone out to LA deliberately to meet up with Cole.

Meanwhile, as Cole has been partying up a storm in LA, his estranged wife Cheryl has been admitted to hospital after being diagnosed with malaria.

She is currently receiving treatment at the Hospital For Tropical Diseases at the University College London Hospitals.

The singer collapsed during a photoshoot on Saturday afternoon and was initially diagnosed with exhaustion.


source: dailymail