October 16, 2009 14:14

Sugababes' Amelle Berrabah admitted to clinic over health fears

Singer is suffering from 'a severe bout of nervous exhaustion'

Sugababes singer Amelle Berrabah has been admitted to a private health clinic, her bandmates have revealed.

In a message from Heidi Range and Jade Ewen posted on Sugababes.com today (October 16), the duo revealed that Berrabah is staying in the clinic due to stress.

"Unfortunately, Amelle has been forced to take an unexpected short break away from the pressures of work, following some professional medical advice earlier this week," the statement said.

The band went on to explain that Sugababes' recent line-up changes (Ewen replaced original member Keisha Buchanan in September) did contribute to Berrabah's condition.

The message read: "It seems that with all the recent events in the band right up to Jade joining us a few weeks ago, the stress over a period of months has unfortunately taken its toll on Amelle and she is now suffering from a severe bout of nervous exhaustion.

"For the next three weeks, Amelle will be staying at a private health clinic in Europe where she will be able to rest and recuperate under expert supervision. We’re expecting her to return to work in full health by the beginning of November."

In the statement, Range said she thinks the band made the right decision to carry on by getting Ewen to replace Buchanan.

She said: "Both Amelle and I have been through a very traumatic time together in recent months and particularly over the past few weeks. Having the opportunity to move forward with Jade was a major factor in us both deciding to carry on as Sugababes."

As a result of Berrabah's condition, Sugababes have cancelled a performance in Leeds for Aire FM this Sunday (October 18), though both Range and Ewen will still meet fans in the city.

Berrabah initially fuelled rumours of trouble in the girlband after she went AWOL shortly before it was announced that Buchanan had left the group.