Cowell, said: ‘Everyone was talking to each other and the schedule was sent into chaos. For that one moment when you get the call, you're not thinking about the show at that point. It was all about her and how serious it was.

'I didn’t know much about malaria but apparently it was the really serious strain of it. We were really worried. But look, this is real life. People get sick, but unfortunately she got very sick and you’ve got to deal with it. This is what making reality TV is all about.'

He also revealed that 27-year-old brunette’s focus is the show now that the worse of her illness is over.

The workaholic star told the new X magazine: ‘'Cheryl told me it was like coming out of a nightmare.

‘Over the last two weeks we’ve seen the old Cheryl again. She’s very pleased with her category, she’s excited about the talent she’s got and very focused on the show again.'

And it seems Louis Walsh could have a secret crush on Pussycat Doll Nicole Scherzinger if the 50-year-old is to be believed.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-1311970/Simon-Cowell-Cheryl-Coles-malaria-battle-It-nightmare.html#ixzz1EJP76r00