Cheryl Cole: 'I was given 24 hours to live'

Cheryl was on the brink of death after contracting the disease on a trip to Tanzania in June and although she has since recovered the Geordie singer insists she nearly died.

She told BBC Radio 1: "I was given 24 hours at one point."

Cheryl added: "I was in and out of consciousness, I remember the strong bit."

Cole debuted her new song The Flood on the show, which seems to reference her comeback after malaria and splitting from footballer Ashley Cole.

The 27-year-old said: "It's about sinking and it says bring it on anyways because you're strong enough."

Although Cheryl said she doesn't really get boys, she did speak fondly of her pal Black Eyed Peas Will.i.am, 35.

She said: "He's just a good person.

"I talk to him and I come off the phone and I feel like a different person, he understands."

The Geordie singer also had nice things to say about her X Factor contestant Cher Lloyd.

She said: "I get her completely, she reminds me of a young me."