Cheryl Tweedy may have to pull out of ‘X Factor’ this year as she battles malaria, reports suggest.
According to The Sun, Cheryl, 27, could also be forced to scrap a gig at the V Festival. And her management are ready to put the October launch of her new album on ice.
The singer spent a third night in intensive care yesterday at a Surrey clinic and faces a six-month struggle back to fitness.
Her condition is understood to be worse than feared and she is plagued with headaches and fever.
A source revealed: "It is a lot more serious than first thought. Everyone thought she would pull through after 24 hours but there have been no signs of improvement.
"She is very ill and will not be out of hospital for a while. Everyone is holding their breath.
"Because of her hectic schedule, the malaria has really taken a hold. She has not got the physical strength to beat it. She is going to need all of her Geordie grit to win this battle."
Cheryl is now in a specialist unit that deals with tropical diseases.
A source said she was also "hit hard" by powerful medication used to combat the mosquito-borne illness.
He added "It isn't pretty. There are fears that because she is so delicate, permanent damage has been done to her liver.
"She is so tiny - the medication is hitting her hard."
Dancer friend Derek Hough, 25, has been at her bedside along with her mum Joan Callaghan.
The source said: "Joan is beside herself with worry."
