Cheryl Cole and will.i.am mocked

Cheryl Cole and will.i.am are being mocked over their closeness on the road.

The 'Fight for This Love' singer is currently opening for the Black Eyed Peas on their European tour and the group's other three members, Fergie, Taboo and apl.de.ap, have been teasing will and Cheryl about the amount of time they have been spending together.

The 'Where Is The Love?' hitmakers have even been teasing the pair by singing "will and Cheryl sitting in a tree, k-i-s-s-i-n-g".

A source told The Sun newspaper: "Between shows, the slog of touring is a dull business. Cheryl's presence has spiced things up during the first two nights in Dublin. Everyone has been teasing will and Cheryl about being an item and generally ripping the p**s. It's playground stuff.

"The backing dancers have been getting in on the act with the most childish stuff."

Although rumours have surfaced the pair could be more than friends since Cheryl split from her soccer star husband Ashley Cole in February, pals insist their private tour meetings are innocent.

The source added: "will has a mobile studio with him and he and Cheryl are planning to spend even more time in there making music during the 17 upcoming UK and European dates.

"Cheryl's been laughing about the ribbing though, saying will.i.am is more like a brother and he's simply been showing off new beats."

will.i.am, 35, produced most of 26-year-old Cheryl's '3 Words' solo LP and has previously claimed he would move to the UK "if it meant being with" "so sexy" Cheryl.