Ashely Cole, the ex-husband of Cheryl Cole, has tweeted that he would like to have his ex-wife jump out of a big box that's in his house this Christmas.

The couple were married for four years between July 2006 - September 2010, and Ashley was responding to a tweet about whether Cheryl has taken him 'back yet'.

Ashley tweeted: "Maybe she could be the big box I have at my house, lol just going to jump out'. 

The conversation followed after the footballer mentioned it was his 33rd birthday on December 20.

Cole tweeted: "Anyway it's my birthday tomorrow so getting old but life goes on enjoy your evening peeps."

One of his Twitter followers took the opportunity to have a dig about his relationship with his ex-wife, who divorced him three years ago over his alleged infidelities.

Cheryl Cole does not follow her ex-husband on Twitter, so it's not known if she's read the tweet. She has recently split from dancer, Tre Holloway, after a 14-month relationship.