Cheryl got malaria on Africa trip with dancer pal Derek

By GORDON SMART, Bizarre Editor

Published: 06 Jul 2010

Agony ... star is fighting bugXposure

STRICKEN CHERYL TWEEDY caught malaria on a trip to Tanzania with her dancer friend DEREK HOUGH.

 

The exhausted X Factor judge briefly visited Africa's East coast with 25-year-old Derek in a bid to recharge her batteries three weeks ago.

 

She had taken malaria tablets - but they failed to protect her from the mosquito-borne illness, which in extreme cases can KILL.

 

Chums ... pair leave for Africa

Xposure

The Sun told yesterday how the 27-year-old Geordie dramatically collapsed with suspected gastroenteritis during a photoshoot for her album on Saturday afternoon.

She was ordered to rest, but began drifting in and out of consciousness on Sunday and was rushed to a Surrey hospital, where doctors diagnosed malaria.

Last night sources close to the star, who has worked relentlessly since splitting from England and Chelsea footballer hubby ASHLEY COLE, said she would be kept in hospital for another night and could remain under close observation for up to two weeks. Her involvement in the rest of this series of The X Factor is in serious doubt.

Sources also revealed Cheryl - whose spokesman confirmed she has malaria - had secretly battled painful stomach cramps while filming the ITV talent show. One said: "She told doctors she'd had stomach pains since her return from Tanzania. On Sunday evening her condition deteriorated so rapidly she knew it was something serious.

"She'd spent 48 hours in bed trying to sleep off what she thought was a stomach bug. She was extremely weak, sweating and drifting in and out of consciousness. She was driven to hospital where tests showed malaria. Everyone is really concerned. She is very ill."

X Factor mogul SIMON COWELL texted Cheryl after we revealed her collapse. He told her: "Have some rest. Don't rush back." One pal said: "He's concerned - she's such a workaholic."