Girls Aloud singer and X Factor judge Cheryl Cole was reportedly “left shaken after being bitten on the lip by a deranged girl fan” according to The Sun.

Cheryl was apparently posing for photographers outside her hotel when a teenaged ‘fan’ “lunged” at her.

Witnesses at the scene reported that Cheryl, 25, appeared to be “petrified” as a security guard dived in to get the girl away from Cheryl before rapidly rushing the singer into her hotel.

The hysterical fan – who was wearing a brace on her teeth – ran away from the scene shouting: “I kissed Cheryl, I kissed Cheryl” apparently not realising that she’d bitten her idol.

The paper also reports that just moments after the attack, fellow band member Nadine Coyle stepped off the tour bus to chat with fans but a security guard rapidly ushered her into the hotel as well…

A witness to the ‘attack’ said: “Nadine didn’t know what had happened. It had left Cheryl petrified.”

The incident happened as the girls arrived back at the Malmaison Hotel in Belfast following their show at the Odyssey Arena.

Another witness said: “This girl was hysterical and totally obsessed with Cheryl.

“She lunged at her and her brace must have nicked her lip. Cheryl looked absolutely terrified.

“The band’s security manager said Cheryl had been hurt and was shaking.”

The Girls Aloud spokeswoman said: “Cheryl was left shaken. As a result the girls have been more cautious greeting fans.”