The Geordie star is worried sick as her brother's addictions get worse.

Life has not been fair to Cheryl Cole in the last year, with her love life up and down, Malaria to fight off, and now it has been revealed that her brother’s addiction to drink and drugs has been getting worse.

Cheryl was in Venice last week for a private gig, and was pictured looking puffy and tired. She took her brother on the trip with her for support, but also to try and help him move on with his addictions.

Her brother, Garry, has a police record of over 50 arrests and those close to Cheryl have said she is terribly worried that her brother’s situation is not getting any better.

“He’s been ill lately and he has been told to give up drinking because his liver could fail,” a family friend said. “If he doesn’t stop he will die.”

This is just another setback for the Geordie who is still hoping to be a part of Simon Cowell’s US X Factor show.