X Factor judge Cheryl Cole is said to be seriously ill and still in intensive care, after contracting malaria last month.

Sources at London’s University College Hospital say that the 27 year old has fluid on her lungs and has been on 24 hour watch since she entered the hospital earlier this week.

A source told the Daily Mail: “She has got fluid on the lungs. She’s not good, no. She’s still in intensive care so it doesn’t look like she’ll be out of hospital for a while yet.”

A hospital visitor added: “I’ve seen Cheryl’s mum and Derek [Hough] in there. They stayed overnight last night. I overheard Derek on his phone saying she’s got fluid on her lungs.”

Pals have said that no mention has been made of Cheryl leaving the hospital and it is looking less and less likely that the ’3 Words’ singer will be well enough to attend X factor bootcamp next week.