Cheryl Cole has contracted malaria

The 'Fight for This Love' hitmaker – who collapsed at a photo shoot in north London on Saturday (03.07.10) – is believed to have picked up the potentially deadly disease after getting bitten by a mosquito while holidaying in Tanzania with dancer Derek Hough last month.

An insider revealed to the Daily Mirror newspaper: "She had been taking malaria tablets regularly while on holiday and continued to take them even after she returned back, but she still tested positive for it."

Derek rushed to the brunette beauty's bedside as soon as he heard the news, and is now said to be blaming himself.

The insider added: "He's mortified by what happened and is utterly devastated at what she's going through – not least because it happened on a trip he'd planned.

"It's such a shame as she had such a lovely holiday with Derek and has such lovely memories of it. He is worried sick about her. He's sticking close by her bedside and trying to keep her cheerful."

Initially, it was believed the 27-year-old singer was suffering from severe exhaustion and gastroenteritis and had been working too hard on the new series of pop star search show 'The X Factor' and on her second solo album.

A statement from Cheryl's representative has confirmed she is cancelling all work commitments until she has made a full recovery.

The statement read: "Following doctor's advice Cheryl Cole will be cancelling all work commitments for the next week."