Cheryl's tribute to hero docs

CHERYL Cole has paid an emotional tribute to the doctors who she says saved her life.

Before flying out to Los Angeles with her dancer pal Derek Hough, Cheryl publicly thanked the medical team in the tropical diseases unit at University College London Hospital who treated her for malaria.

She said: "I want to say how grateful I am for everything you guys have done. I wouldn't be here now, if it wasn't for you."

Cheryl was treated at UCL by specialist Professor Peter Chiodini.

The X Factor judge is reported to be planning to make a donation towards the specialist team's unit.

Last night Cheryl flew to LA with Dancing With The Stars' Derek Hough, who she had been holidaying with in Tanzania, East Africa, where she picked up the bug - and who has been by her side throughout her illness.

She is hoping to be well enough to return to X Factor in time for the judges' houses stage.