Natalie Cole diagnosed with Hepatitis C

London, July 17 : Singer Natalie Cole has confirmed that she is suffering from the chronic liver disease Hepatitis C.

The 58-year-old made the announcement after she was forced to pull out of a gig in California due to the disease.

It is believed that she contracted the disease during the 80s when she was heavily into drugs.

In a statement, her US publicist confirmed the disease and said that Cole was turning to her family and friends for supports, reports the Mirror.

"I am embraced by the love and support of my family and friends. I am committed to my belief in myself and in my abiding faith to meet this challenge with heartfelt optimism and determination," she said.

According to her doctor, Grammy Award winner is responding very well to treatment, with her virus now in the negative, giving her a better chance of being cured completely.

Other celebs to have contracted the disease include former Baywatch babe Pamela Anderson, ex hubby Tommy Lee, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler and Larry Hagman, aka Dallas' JR.

ANI