LONDON: British pop star Cheryl Cole doesn't mind her gruelling schedule - because her hectic lifestyle stops her feeling lonely.

Cole is currently on hiatus from her band Girls Aloud but has been keeping busy by releasing a solo album and serving as a judge on Simon Cowell's U.K. TV talent show The X Factor.

And the singer, who split from her soccer star husband Ashley in February (10) following allegations he had a string of affairs, admits she prefers working hard to taking time off - because she hates being by herself.

She says, "I travel the whole world and hardly have any time for myself. Secretly I don't mind this at all, because I hate being on my own.

"I just want to stay busy and keep the energy flowing. I fear I'd go braindead if I don't, so I just have to keep busy - even if it means I have to talk to myself. I get bored to tears (during time off). After two weeks off at Christmas, I went mental. In the end I had to book a holiday and went to the beach with my mum."