Cheryl Cole will reportedly return to The X Factor later next month, but she won’t be alone. Sources close to the star say that the 27 year old singer will have a specialist malaria nurse with her at all times, in case she suffers a relapse.

The Girls Aloud star was struck down by the deadly disease after a trip to Tanzania with Derek Hough. She was later hospitalised due to the illness after collapsing at a photoshoot and though friends say she is on the mend, Cheryl is keen to avoid getting ill again at any cost.

A source close to the star told The Daily Star: “Cheryl knows she must have someone on hand at all times in case she is struck down by malaria again.

“Once you’ve contracted the tropical disease it lives on in your red blood cells and it’s not uncommon for it to return.

“Cheryl is fully aware of this and is determined that once she is fighting fit she will take all the precautions she needs.

“Having a nurse to watch over her 24-7 will ensure that if anything should happen she’ll be aware of it immediately. She can’t wait to get back to work but she realises that she has to be sensible.

“There’s talk of a Girls Aloud tour next year and the nurse will be like an extra member of the band.”