Cole 'on the mend' after malaria treatment

Cheryl Cole is making a good recovery after being struck down with malaria, according to Simon Cowell.

The 27-year-old 'X Factor' judge contracted the disease on a trip to Tanzania last month and is recovering at a private clinic after leaving intensive care.

Speaking last night at the launch of a charity to help burns victims, Cowell said: “I had a text from her yesterday.

“She is on the mend and looking forward to coming back to work.

“She is making a good recovery.”

Cole had to pull out of the final auditions and judging the boot camp stage of the forthcoming series of the talent show because of the illness.

Cowell said he wanted to make sure she did not return to the series too early and risk becoming ill again.