Cheryl Cole orders Burke to gain weight

X Factor winner Alexandra Burke has been instructed to gain weight by her mentor Cheryl Cole, according to a report.

The 20-year-old singer has apparently sparked concern from the Girls Aloud star after dropping from a size 12 to an 8 in recent months.

A source told the News of the World: "Cheryl has been telling Alex she looks too skinny. She says she can see the weight loss in her face because her cheekbones stick out too much.

"But Alex thinks it's crazy. She loves Cheryl to pieces but thinks, 'Look who's talking.' Alex is very slim, but compared to Cheryl she looks like a giant. Cheryl is the one who needs to gain weight."

The insider added: "Alex doesn't diet. She just eats healthily. When the X Factor finals started, she would try even harder to opt for salads rather than some of the junk the other contestants were eating."

Recent reports have claimed that Cole is planning to follow a weight gain diet of her own in the New Year, after becoming shocked by her gaunt appearance in the X Factor final.