Cheryl Cole's mum gives will.i.am stamp of approval

London (ANI): Girls Aloud member Cheryl Cole has taken her friendship with Black Eyed Peas rapper will.i.am to another level – by introducing him to her mother who gave him her approval. will.i.am, 35, met Joan, 50, on May 5 for drinks after Cheryl, 26, supported the Black Eyed Peas at London"s O2 Arena.

The meeting between the three went so well that the rapper promised Joan he will take care of Cheryl, and he also praised the way she has been brought up. “Joan is a great lady. You can see why Cheryl is such a good girl, she gets it from her mum," the Sun quoted him as saying.

“Cheryl"s mum is behind our friendship. I think anybody that will look after her little girl and protect her - after the last few months she has had - is only a good thing in her mum"s eyes. The most important thing for Cheryl at the moment is to have a man around her who she can trust and who makes her laugh. I promised mum that"s what I"m doing."

“We couldn"t ask for a better supporting act than Cheryl, the crowd absolutely love her and she really is a princess in the British peoples" eyes. I am having a great time working with her, but I already knew that I would anyway. We are having a great time during the show, but also a great time after," he added.

Will, who worked with Cheryl on her debut solo album 3 Words, has made no secret of his feelings for the Girls Aloud star. “Cheryl turned up with her mum after Will had arrived," an onlooker at the Bacardi VIP bar said. “He spent some time talking to Joan, who came to watch her perform. She obviously got on with Will, so she seems to approve of the friendship," the onlooker stated.