Cheryl Cole's new single set to smash record after 'amazing' sales

Pop star Cheryl Cole's first solo effort is set to become the biggest selling single of the year, the Official Charts Company said.

First day sales of Cole's first single have already surpassed last week's record-setting number one Bad Boys by Alexandra Burke.

Cole performed her new song, Fight For This Love, on Sunday night's X-Factor results show with a sexy, Cold War-themed routine.

Supporting her from the audience was husband and Chelsea defender Ashley Cole and her band mates from Girls Aloud, along with a peak TV audience of 14.8 million viewers.

However, the Geordie reality show star attracted criticism for miming some of her vocals and relying on a backing track.

Official Charts Company managing director Martin Talbot said: "Her first day's sales are just amazing and put her in pole position to top the Official Singles Chart on Sunday.

"She is likely to set the sales standard by which everyone will be judged for the rest of the year in the run-up to Christmas."

If Cole knocks current number one Burke off the top spot, it will disprove the old adage of the student surpassing the master.

Cole acted as Burke's mentor in the last series of The X-Factor, guiding her to victory in the talent show.