Jessica Simpson - Jessica Simpson Hospitalised

Pop beauty JESSICA SIMPSON was briefly hospitalised on Monday (21FEB05), after she was struck down with a stomach virus.

The 24-year-old IRRESISTIBLE singer was filming a segment for OPRAH WINFREY's hit chat show, when she suddenly fell ill.

Simpson's representative BRAD CAFARELLI tells PEOPLE magazine, "While Jessica was in Chicago shooting a segment for Oprah, she contracted a stomach virus and became dehydrated.

"She is already feeling better after being checked into, and released from, a local hospital for rehydration before flying back to Los Angeles."

Simpson was well enough to return to Los Angeles yesterday (22FEB05).

According to the website for THE OPRAH WINFREY SHOW, Simpson will appear on a segment entitled 'Red Carpet Makeovers with Jessica Simpson' to be aired on Friday (25FEB05) - two days before the ACADEMY AWARDS. Other stars listed on the show's schedule for that day are singer ASHANTI and actress LARA FLYNN BOYLE.