Washington, Oct 23 : Singer Cheryl Cole has revealed that Black Eyed Peas star will. i. am persuaded her to go solo.

The Girls Aloud star had teamed up with the rapper last year and provided vocals for his single ‘Heartbreaker’ and appearing in the video as a dancer.

And it was after collaborating with will. i. am that Cole had decided to take a break from pop band and carve a solo career.

"He inspired me to go solo," Contactmusic quoted her as saying.

The pair has since reunited in the studio and will. i. am has returned the favour, contributing a track to Cole''s debut solo album, 3 Words.

Meanwhile, Cole has been slapped with accusations claiming her debut solo single is lifted from an old Top 10 hit.

Pop fans blasted the British singer, saying her first solo track is a “blatant” copy of Lil Star by US singer Kelis, which reached No3 in 2007. (ANI)