Cheryl Cole's SWAT team

Cheryl Cole is being given her own SWAT team for Christmas.

The Girls Aloud star hired the Special Weapons And Tactics response unit after receiving a letter from a crazed fan who threatened to kill himself and his family for her over the festive period.

A source said: "He hadn't threatened Cheryl's safety but this level of obsession is worrying and it prompted a new evaluation of her security needs.

"Cheryl is so friendly and open that it's doubly important that she has the best security. The team are ex-police officers and they're armed enough to keep her safe."

The team are ex-police officers and they're armed enough to keep her safe

The 25-year-old singer recently won a legion of new fans following her successful stint as a judge on UK TV talent show 'The X Factor'.

The series catapulted her even further into the public eye, meaning she is now being approached by fans whenever she leaves the house.

The source added to Britain's Daily Star newspaper: "She has always been well protected as a member of her band but her celebrity status has risen so fast she needs new arrangements.

- femalefirst.co.uk