Cheryl gets her revenge

Singer 'blows up' Simon Cowell at Camp Bastion...

09:12 16 September 2011

Cheryl Cole has had an unexpected day in Afghanistan, blowing up Simon Cowell in a controlled explosion.

The Girls Aloud singer is currently visiting the troops at Camp Bastion in Afghanistan, and is being filmed on the trip for the Daily MirrorÂ’s Pride of Britain Awards.

When presented with the effigy of her former X Factor boss, the Mirror reports Cole as saying:

"His head needed to be a lot bigger and the trousers could have done with being a lot higher.

"This moment will live in my memory for a long time! They sprang it on me. I had no idea Simon the dummy was going to be blown up. It was good to see everyone having a laugh.”

The 28-year-old star also joined the troops at meal times, where she talked with them, posed for pictures and signed autographs.

The newspaper reports one soldier as saying:

"We were amazed that she was happy to muck in and have a decent feed. She's a proper Northern lass who likes her grub."

The singer also spoke about learning of the work done by the Royal Engineers search team, saying:

"I was astonished at the way they put their lives on their line. They are literally lying in the dirt using their hands to feel for bombs. They really are the bravest of the brave."

The Daily MirrorÂ’s Pride of Britain Awards will air next month on ITV1.