Cole diagnosed with Hepatitis C

Natalie Cole has revealed that she is suffering from liver disease Hepatitis C.

The singer, daughter of jazz icon Nat King Cole, may have caught the virus from drug use in the '80s.

Cole struggled with LSD, cocaine and heroine addictions but overcame them after a lengthy stint in rehab in 1984.

The 58-year-old said: "I've been so fortunate to have learned so much from my past experiences. I am embraced by the love and support of my family and friends.

"I am committed to my belief in myself and in my abiding faith to meet this challenge with a heartfelt optimism and determination."

Dr. Graham Woolf from the UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Centre said Cole had responded well to treatment, though she was suffering from fatigue, muscle aches and dehydration as side effects.

"Natalie has had a terrific response to her medication and is now virus negative," he said. "This gives her an increased chance of cure. But, she has also suffered significant side effects from the anti-viral medicine".