Cheryl Cole’s live return is in jeopardy after she has come been diagnosed with a throat infection.

The ‘Promise This’ singer has been taken ill ahead of the Children in Need Rocks Manchester charity concert on Thursday (17.11.11), where she is set to sing a duet with Take That frontman Gary Barlow.

Gary told Metro newspaper: “We are watching this space at the moment because Cheryl has been ill over the weekend. So fingers crossed, it’s all going to be all right

He added to the Daily Mirror newspaper: “There’s a chance that Cheryl might have to pull out. The next 24 hours are crucial. She’ll see a doctor on Wednesday morning to see if she can perform.”

The charity show is thought to be Cheryl’s first scheduled live performance this year. The Children in Need Rocks concert will also see Coldplay, Ed Sheeran, JLS, Elbow, N Dubz, Hugh Laurie, Snow Patrol, Michael Buble and Lady Gaga perform live, but Gary said when he talked to Cheryl, he was the person she most wanted to duet with.

He added: “I wouldn’t have asked Cheryl to duet with me because I’m a gentleman. So I said to her: ‘Do you fancy doing something? Take your pick. We’ve got Coldplay, you can duet with anyone.’

“And she said: ‘Well, what about you? I fancy doing something with you.”

Gary is also excited about seeing Gaga, who he has given free rein to put on as elaborate a stage show as she wants.

He added: “It’s gonna be amazing. She’ll be bringing something that will keep us all talking for a week, I’m sure. We’re all like: ‘You do what you want. Go for it!’”