CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 13: Singer Cheryl Cole attends the "Habemus Papam" premiere at the Palais des Festivals during the 64th Cannes Film Festival on May 13, 2011 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)

Cheryl Cole may still be in line for a place on the US X Factor, Simon Cowell's spokesman has suggested

X Factor judge Cheryl Cole takes to the red carpet at Cannes in an eye-catching little white number

Cheryl Cole performing with her boyfriend and dancer Tre Holloway, right

Cheryl Cole's huge new rose body art, which spreads down her lower back and across her buttocks and thigh tops, sent social networking sites into a frenzy when tattooist Nikko Hurtado unveiled his creation on Saturday.

Hurtado, who owns the Black Anchor tattoo studio in Hesperia, California, posted the image on his Instagram page.

The picture showed the massive blood-red tattoo of roses inked on her back and bottom.

Along with the shot of his masterpiece, the body art specialist posted a cryptic message, which read: "Here is an in progress shot of a tattoo I've been covering up and reworking.

"Really excited to show healed shots. It was some intense tattooing sessions. She's as tough as nails."

Cole (30) confirmed the image of a girl in a pink thong was her and that she had been hiding the design for eight months while the detailing was complete

She wrote on Twitter: "People are entitled to their own opinion. Personally I've never really concerned myself with other people's body parts.

"I've had it for seven/eight months but only just had it detailed. I can pretty much safely say I'm now done."

The Geordie pop star said the sprawling tattoo had taken 15 hours to complete and that the rose was her favourite flower.

Within hours of the photograph going online, people took to Twitter to give their opinions.

Many expressed disapproval, describing it as "a mess", "horrific", "nasty" and "vile".

One posted: "Just seen Cheryl Cole's new tattoo. Wow, that just takes tramp stamps to a whole new level."

But others were more enthusiastic about it.

Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan wrote: "No gonna lie I actually like @CherylCole new tattoo."

Others praised the artwork, saying it was "amazing" and "superb".

Earlier this year on the Girls Aloud final tour, fans were given the first glimpse of the tattoo while she was performing on stage.

It is understood Cole now has around 12 tattoos.

Belfast Telegraph