The star is taking a break from filming under strict instructions from her doctor
Cheryl Cole has pulled out of the X Factor until further notice, after collapsing during a planned photo shoot at the weekend.
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The 'exhausted' star is now said to be resting under strict instructions from her doctor, and has been diagnosed with gastroenteritis after the fainting incident.
And last night Mrs C's manager reportedly told X Factor bosses that she would be absent from filming until further notice, as she recovers at home.
Worried onlookers told how Cheryl arrived at a studio 'pale' and 'tired', but insisted she would be fine to carry on with the planned day of shooting.
'She should never have gone to the studio. She insisted she was fine, even though she clearly wasn't,' one insider told the Sun.
'Her skin was pale and her lips had no colour. She's rundown and tired. That's why she ended up with the stomach virus.
'She told the photographer she'd be all right if she got her make-up on. But once she was under the lights it was clear she wasn't well. She was really sweating and the make-up staff had a job on their hands.'
And just minutes later the X Factor songstress collapsed, causing worried staff to summon an emergency doctor to treat her on the scene.
'Eventually she just keeled over,' the insider added. 'It was horrible. She was only out for a few seconds but it was enough to give everyone, including Cheryl, a massive scare.
'She was carried to a dark room and lay down on a sofa until the doctor arrived. She was sent home to rest and the shoot was postponed indefinitely.'
And friends say fears for Cheryl's health have been mounting for quite some time, after the star threw herself into work following her separation from husband Ashley.
During the last few months, Cheryl has embarked on a gruelling work schedule, working whopping 18-hour days in a bid to stay on top of her commitments.
'She has been completely dedicated to X Factor, her album, recording sessions and touring - to an extent that it has started to affect her health,' said one source.
'Cheryl has been putting on a brave face, joking about hangovers. The truth is, she's simply working far too hard.
'There's only so long someone can do 18 hours every day without burning out. She has worked relentlessly for the past 18 months. Something had to give.'
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