Malaria-hit Cheryl Cole still expected at V festival otherwise'

ORGANISERS of the V Festival are hoping Cheryl Cole will still perform at the event - saying they have not been told that she is pulling out.

Their comments came as Cole, who has been diagnosed with the potentially deadly disease malaria, has been moved from a private clinic to receive specialist care.

The singer was transferred to University College London, which is home to the Hospital for Tropical Diseases.

The star is said to have spent two hours in intensive care at an emergency unit of the Cromwell Hospital before being moved.

Cole, 27, has pulled out of the last in the current series of X Factor auditions while she fights the illness. A spokesman for the V Festival, where she is set to perform high-profile shows, said: "V Festival has not been informed by Cheryl Cole's management that she will not be appearing at this year's festival. Unless otherwise informed, organisers are expecting her to appear as planned and wish her a speedy recovery."

The star contracted malaria on her trip last month to Tanzania - which is home to one of the most dangerous strains of the illness - despite taking malaria tablets. The singer and close friend Derek Hough spent six days together on Africa's east coast following her split from England footballer Ashley Cole.

Cole is reported to have collapsed with suspected gastroenteritis during a photoshoot for her album on Saturday afternoon, when she was initially diagnosed with exhaustion. But she was rushed to hospital the next day after symptoms including a soaring fever worsened.