Simon Cowell advises Cheryl Cole to rest

Simon Cowell has advised fellow X Factor judge Cheryl Cole to rest after she was diagnosed with malaria.

The singer's spokesman has confirmed earlier reports that she was admitted to hospital after fainting during a photoshoot at the weekend.

Cowell, who is currently shooting the audition stage of The X Factor, told Cole: "'Don't rush back. Health is a priority and get some rest to recover properly."

The star has cancelled her work commitments for a week. Last year, she climbed Mount Kilimanjaro for Comic Relief in an effort to help prevent the disease.

Comic Relief chief executive Kevin Cahill told BBC News: "We're very sorry to learn that Cheryl has been diagnosed with malaria and wish her a speedy recovery. Cheryl did an amazing thing climbing Kilimanjaro last year and raising millions to buy bed nets for thousands of families and children in Africa - the first step to preventing malaria."

The early symptoms of malaria include a headache, aching muscles and weakness of energy, which means the disease can easily be confused with other illnesses.