Spiteri keeping quiet to save her voice

Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri has been told to keep quiet until at least March to save her singing voice.

The Say What You Want hitmaker has been diagnosed with blisters on her vocal chords, and they're so serious doctors have warned her not to sing, talk on the phone or drink tea in case she makes her condition worse.

She says: "I'm not allowed to sing and I haven't been able to sing since before Christmas. It is serious. I have blisters on my vocal chords from hammering them while on tour. I'm keeping my voice very quiet and very low just now. I'm writing songs and getting as much done as I possibly can. But I have to rest and do as little speaking as possible.

"I have strict orders from the doctor. I'm not allowed to speak on the phone in case it strains my voice, and I can't drink tea. There are a whole lot of things I'm not allowed to do. When I read my daughter Misty her bedtime story, I'm not allowed to slouch. I have to sit upright with my back against the wall.

"If I'm very lucky, my vocal chords will come back by March."