Sugababes singer Amelle Berrabah has been forced to take a “short break” away from the girl group due to a severe bout of nervous exhaustion.

A statement said “stress over a period of months”, including the group's recent line-up change, had “taken its toll” on the star.

“For the next 3 weeks, Amelle will be staying at a private health clinic in Europe where she will be able to rest and recuperate under expert supervision,” the statement added.

Sugababes' last original member Keisha Buchanan left last month amid reports she had been forced out of the group.

She was replaced in the line-up by former Eurovision contestant Jade Ewen.

As a result of Berrabah's treatment, the group have been forced to cancel their scheduled live debut performance in Leeds on Sunday.

However, Ewen and bandmate Heidi Range will still travel to Yorkshire for the Aire FM event to meet fans.