Simon Cowell has said that X-Factor judge Cheryl Cole is recovering well from malaria. He revealed that he had received a message from the popstar, in which she said she was getting better and feeling ‘perky’.
Cole fell ill with the potentially life-threatening disease after a trip to Tanzinia three weeks ago with one of her dancers, Derek Hough, 25.
She was released from the intensive care department of University College Hospital at the start of the weekend and since has checked into a private hospital in London. The star has been forced to pull out of a string of work commitments, including the ‘bootcamp’ stage of X-Factor and various appearances, such as at the V Festival next month.
Cowell has said he is committed to ensuring that Cole does not return to work before she is ready and has promised to have a conversation with her about it. He also revealed that she is expected to be released from hospital in the next few days.
In the meantime, a host of celebs have put themselves forward to fill Cheryl’s shoes until she returns, including Jordan, who - despite admitting that she can’t sing - claims that the fact that she’s ‘still got ears and can still hear things and can see looks’ makes her ideally qualified. While this could make for some fabulous TV, no doubt Simon Cowell is praying that Cole recovers from the malaria before Jordan manages to strong-arm her way onto his set!