Leona Lewis to have throat operation

Mar 27, 2008, 13:00 GMT

British singer Leona Lewis performs at the fourth night of the 58th Italian Song Festival in Sanremo, Italy, 29 February 2008. The festival is a popular Italian song contest running since 1951 and held annually in the city of Sanremo. This year\'s edition is scheduled for 25 February to 05 March. EPA/CLAUDIO ONORATI

Leona Lewis is set to have an operation on her throat.

The 'Bleeding Love' singer - who shot to fame when she won British TV talent show 'The X Factor' in 2006 - has been told by surgeons the only way to beat her frequent throat infections is to have her tonsils removed.

A source close to the singer told Britain's The Sun newspaper: "Leona has been consulting top throat surgeons in Britain and America. She has been told she could need an operation to put an end to the problem for good.

"Any operation is scary, but for a singer to have a throat operation is particularly terrifying."

Leona - who is attempting to break America with the help of her manager Simon Cowell - told US talk show host Oprah Winfrey earlier this month she was having trouble performing live because she was suffering from a particularly nasty bout of tonsillitis.

She said: "I've had tonsillitis for the whole of the past week. I've been desperately trying to get better."

A representative for the 22-year-old singer has confirmed she may be forced to have surgery, adding: "Leona would like to reassure fans this is a routine operation which will not affect her voice. She has sought specialists' advice."

Meanwhile, Leona - who has enjoyed success in the US thanks to the help of Simon and the backing of world famous stars including Whitney Houston - could make history today by becoming the first British woman to top the US charts in over 20 years.

Industry insiders say 'Bleeding Love' is likely to top Billboard's Hot 100 chart when it is announced in New York today (27.03.08).

(C) BANG Media International