Singer criticized after brother was found homeless
Cheryl Cole is facing criticism for her estranged brother Andrew Tweedy was pictured living in a tent and begging for food – but sources have told that RadarOnline.com the singer has been “unfairly vilified” as she fought for years to help her hopeless sibling.
British-born Cole, 42, who shot to fame with Girls Aloud, grew up with Tweedy, 45, in Byker, Newcastle. He has now been seen sleeping behind a Morrisons store in Jarrow, South Tyneside, and drinking outside a supermarket from early morning.
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Cheryl Tweedy faces backlash over her brother’s struggles
Cheryl Cole was unfairly criticized after her brother lived in a tent.
The sighting comes weeks after he appeared at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to being drunk and disorderly on February 25. Police were called after he allegedly shouted and cursed at customers.
Andrew Tweedy has admitted that he is the type of person who takes ‘one step forward and ten steps back’.
Despite images of him sleeping on the streets, including in a tent, sparking backlash against Cheryl Tweedy, sources close to the situation insist she has already done everything she can for her brother’s car accident.
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Troubled past and recent court appearances
The 42-year-old singer has reportedly tried to support her sibling’s recovery for years.
An insider said: “Cheryl is being completely unfairly criticized for this by trolls who say she should spend some of her millions to help her brother.
“The truth is, she has tried to support her brother emotionally and financially for years, and at a certain point there is only so much one person can do.”
Tweedy, who has 44 convictions for 115 offences, including armed robbery, was given a six-month conditional discharge at his last court appearance and ordered to pay £113 ($152).
He told magistrates he wanted to change his life, saying: “I’m trying to fix my life and solve my problems. It’s a process, but it’s all just beginning.”
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Living on the streets despite support
Andrew Tweedy, 45, was seen begging for food behind a supermarket in South Tyneside.
But within weeks he was seen again living in a tent behind a supermarket, drinking strong cider and refusing to participate when approached.
He just said: ‘I slept outside Morrisons for a long time.’
A second source said: “People see the headline and assume Cheryl abandoned him but that’s not the reality. She’s paid for his rehab, she’s supported him and she’s been there every step of the way.
“The criticism ignores the fact that her brother has repeatedly refused or struggled to accept help.”
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Sources argued that trolls ignored the reality of Tweedy repeatedly refusing help.
Tweedy’s history of addiction and offending goes back decades. He has spoken openly about his struggles, including previous prison sentences and early exposure to substance abuse growing up in Newcastle.
In 2021, he revealed that he had become homeless after a breakup and had been begging for months.
He said at the time: “This is how I live. I’ve been begging for this for over three months and it’s something that has really broken my heart.
“I have so much damn pride. With the family I have, I shouldn’t be here. It’s horrible.
“None of them have contacted me. Even if Cheryl doesn’t help me, she’s still my family. She probably won’t even know I’m on the streets, I don’t blame her at all. This is the lowest I’ve ever been.”
However, he has also acknowledged his sister’s support in the past. Speaking from prison in 2008, he said she had tried to help him access treatment and remained committed despite his setbacks.
A third source said: “This is a very complicated family situation. The idea that Cheryl doesn’t care or hasn’t tried is simply not true; the narrative that she is somehow responsible is unfair.”
