After dating on and off for twenty years and remaining the closest of friends since then, it is only natural that Simon Cowell's ex Sinitta would turn to the X Factor supremo in her hour of need.
And that's just what she did, when the Eighties pop star discovered a tumour 'the size of an ostrich egg' in her stomach and had to undergo emergency surgery three weeks ago.
The 42-year-old spent a fortnight on morphine after her hospitalisation, but has been given the all-clear by doctors, who say the tumour was benign.
Tumour scare: Singer Sinitta (pictured in September) has revealed that she had a tumour 'the size of an ostrich egg' removed from her stomach three weeks ago
In an interview published today, Sinitta says: 'I am recovering well. Thank God the tumour was not malignant. But it was the size of an ostrich egg. Bizarre.'
But the So Macho singer, who now features on The X Factor helping Cowell during the judges' houses stage of auditions, suffered another blow when, just as she was getting back on her feet, she broke her ankle.
Speaking to the Daily Star, Sinitta explains: 'I was pain-free but a little wobbly. I just collapsed on the way home and my ankle and ligaments are damaged. I guess I was out and about too soon.'
Star support: Simon Cowell, who dated the Eighties singer on and off for twenty years, has been there for Sinitta through her ordeal
Simon, 51, is busy with the US version of X Factor, has been in constant contact with his former girlfriend.
Sinitta has been holed up at home recovering from her ankle injury after a second hospitalisation, which she says is causing her more pain than the cancer scare.
She wrote on Twitter: 'Have to say ligament more painful then (sic) tumour for some reason! I guess was in hospital longer on morphine feed. This is comically painful!'
The mother-of-two has been using the social networking site incessantly to keep herself occupied while she is house-bound, and thanked her followers for their well wishes.
Double ordeal: The singer, pictured with children Zac and Magdalena at the Tangled premiere last month, is now resting at home with a broken ankle
She wrote today: 'You guys are brilliant, even there for me when I'm tweeting off my head on morphine at 3am the other night! Thanks for distracting me.'
Earlier this week the star appeared fed up with her ordeal, tweeting: 'So daddy in town and has kids thank God, nanny has come to help me! Trying to eat and drink before take pain killers as otherwise can't eat.'
Sinitta has two adopted children, Zac and Magdalena, with ex-husband Andy Willner.
The couple split in 2009 when Willner moved to Hong Kong, before finalising their divorce in August last year.
Source:Dailymail
