Following a turbulent start to the new year, Mariah Carey and Nick Cannon are now "closer than ever" in their relationship after his recent kidney failure. 

The television personality was hospitalised on January 4 in Aspen, Colorado after suffering a "mild kidney failure", but the illness has only strengthened the married couple's bond according to Cannon's father, Jason, who told US Weekly:

"Nick and Mariah have a very strong bond. If anything, this unexpected illness has made them closer than ever and appreciate one another even more. She would stay in the hospital overnight to support him. So they managed to cope even though Nick was pretty sick."

On both January 8 and 10, vocal sensation Carey took to social networking site Twitter to update her followers on Cannon's condition and wrote:

"Nick is getting better+we love+appreciate all the ongoing kind words! We're all home together taking care of each other, excited about the new year!!"