Will.i.am ¡®¡¯sick with rage¡± over Cheryl Cole ¡±meeting¡± Derek Hough

Rapper Will.i.am was “sick with rage” after he heard Cheryl Cole had been on a couple dates with dancer Derek Hough, it has emerged.

Will.i.am, 35, has been trying to woo Cheryl, 26, after her marriage to footie Ashley Cole, 29, fell apart.

However, he was furious when Derek, 24, was seen sneaking out of Cheryl’’s West Hollywood home last week.

And the Black Eyed Peas star was not any happier when Derek returned to Cheryl’’s house after spending the day rehearsing for Dancing With The Stars.

Will.i.am, who invited Cheryl to spend Easter in Los Angeles, is said to be smitten by her.

The duo came close after the rapper produced Cheryl’’s debut solo album 3 Words.

“Will is absolutely besotted with Cheryl and thinks she could be his perfect woman,” the Daily Star quoted an insider, as saying.

The source added: “He’’s heard rumours she’’s still seeing Derek and cannot stand the thought of him getting his hands on her.

“He’’s determined to make things official with her before she gets snapped up by someone else.

“To say he’’s furious about Derek’’s new attempts to woo her would be the understatement of the century.”