Hough 'blames himself for Cole illness'

Derek Hough has reportedly said that he feels responsible for Cheryl Cole's ill health.

The pop star and X Factor judge was diagnosed with malaria last week after collapsing during a photoshoot and was later admitted to a London clinic where she continues to recover.

The '3 Words' singer is believed to have contracted the disease during a trip to Tanzania with Hough, who was recently said to be "mortified" over Cole's illness.

Hough's stepfather Aaron Nelson told The Sun that the dancer feels "guilty" and is struggling to hold it together.

"Derek feels guilty. He is very distressed about all this," Nelson said. "He feels he has done this to her. He rang his mum yesterday in tears.

"Derek feels it's all his fault. He organised the holiday as something wonderful. For it to end up like this is terrible. He feels dreadful. He really loves her."

It was recently revealed that Cole's condition is worse than initially thought as her condition shows "no signs of improvement".