Cole told the bearded funnyman "it's like looking in a mirror" after he performed the routine on Friday's Sport Relief show on BBC1.

Hound, who won this year's Let's Dance for Sport Relief with his impersonation of Cole, copied her military-themed outfit complete with trousers split at the side which showed off his legs.

Cole joked: "You have put so much work into it you have even split your trousers."

The singer and X Factor judge said watching Hound's victory last weekend had cheered her up while she was ill in bed.

Cole pulled out of a string of appearances, including a spot on chat show Friday Night With Jonathan Ross, after being struck down with a bout of bronchitis.

The illness followed a difficult few weeks for the singer who announced her split from footballer husband Ashley Cole last month after reports that the England and Chelsea star had been repeatedly unfaithful.

Soon after the split she appeared to struggle during a performance of Fight For This Love at the Brit awards but on Friday she appeared relaxed and happy as she urged people to donate to the Sport Relief appeal.