The pair divorced last year amid allegations that the footballer had been unfaithful, but Cheryl is said to be struggling with the split despite her relationship with rumoured boyfriend Derek Hough.
According to Heat, the 27-year-old singer stayed in contact with Ashley during her New Year holiday to Cape Town, with Hough.
A source told the magazine, 'Something seems to have changed between Cheryl and Ashley. It's taken a while, but she did wish him a happy New Year when Derek had gone out. The emotions are still very much there between them.
'Ashley asked Cheryl straight out if she was in love with Derek, and she told him she has feelings for Derek, but they're taking things slowly. That's when she said she'd never love anyone the way she loves Ashley.'