Money can't buy you love, ladies

Nothing proves to be more of a kiss of death for a relationship than the permanent inking of a hubby or boyfriend's name.

Just ask poor old Cheryl Cole – or Cheryl Fernandez-Versini as she's now known.

In the throes of early married life, the pop princess had a giant "Mrs C" scribbled on her neck for all eternity, unaware that her beloved Ashley was rolling around with hairdresser Aimee Walton and sending naked pictures of himself to all and sundry.

You stay classy, Cashley.

Ditto Helen Flanagan and ex-Baggies star Scott Sinclair.

No sooner had she had the word "Scott" etched on to her thigh, framed by a tacky little heart with wings (!), had they split up amid reports he'd been been sending saucy messages to SkyTV presenter Donatella Panayiotou.

And now Danielle O'Hara, the undisputed Queen of the Wags, has found her marriage in the spotlight just days after getting "Jamie" tattooed on her back.

Jeez. It's just all so mind-numbingly familiar isn't it?

Such a well-trodden path with ever-present milestones: footballer settles down with overly made-up beauty; the pair sell their souls to the likes of OK! and Hello!; footballer's inevitable alleged infidelities are splashed all over the tabloids with tales of hideous nightclubs, sexting and copious amounts of overpriced Champagne; dutiful Wag stands by her man.

And that's the most galling bit: the unwavering loyalty of these women.

Why do they do it? Why do they stick with their love-rat footballers through thick and thin? And I mean that last bit literally.

The obvious, cynical answer is money.

Too dependent on a life of Hermès, Harry Winston and Hawaii, it seems most Wags are willing to turn a blind eye to almost anything if it keeps them in the manner in which they're accustomed to.

How else do you explain Coleen sticking with Wayne despite claims of prostitutes, threesomes and randy OAPs?

It's certainly not for his good looks and charm. Or abilities on the pitch for that matter.

The Greek tragedy that is the Giggs scandal also lends itself to the argument that millions upon millions of pounds mean more than a loyal spouse. And sister. And brother.

The second reason is altogether more depressing. Maybe these women are so lacking in self-confidence and self-belief they think they're nothing without Mr Premier League Superstar on their arm?

Toni Terry certainly fits this bill. Never has a woman appeared more downtrodden and absurdly, blindly loyal than Mrs John Terry.

This is the man who allegedly sleeps with his teammates' wives and seduces blonde teenagers in his flash Bentley with Luther Vandross tracks playing in the background. Shudder. Seriously, if this man doesn't deserve a good dose of D.I.V.O.R.C.E then no-one does.

So are they divas or are they doormats? Are they drinking a cocktail of money, greed and materialism or one of fear, zero pride and a crippling lack of self-esteem?

Whatever the reason, most WAGs (apart from Cheryl, who, quite rightly kicked Cashley to the nearest kerb) keep that bling ring on their finger. But then Cheryl had a career, identity and money all of her own.

There were also no children involved. She had options.

Many of these women come across as trapped; stuck in palatial prisons of electric gates, walk-in closets and empty marital beds.

Obviously, these wives and girlfriends are allowed to do whatever they want within their private lives but, in a society where becoming a WAG is a genuine ambition for some poor unfortunate souls, that's more than a little worrying.

But hopefully, after each and every example of meaningless marriage vows, worthless sex and hollow headlines, another girl is put off ever going near a cheating footballer.

After all, diamonds and Louis Vuitton handbags are all well and good, but you can't put a price on your pride.