October 25, 2009 12:27

Morrissey 'stable' after collapsing onstage

Former Smiths man falls 'unconscious' after just one song

Photo Gallery: Morrissey
Photo: PA Photos

Morrissey is in a "stable condition" after collapsing on stage last night (October 24) in Swindon with breathing difficulties.

The former Smiths frontman fell to the ground as he was performing opening song 'This Charming Man' at the Oasis Leisure Centre before two of his band members carried him offstage.

"Good evening... probably," he said before opening the show with what would be his only song.

Morrissey was then taken to Great Western Hospital, at around 9pm.

Onlookers said he appeared to be "straining" to perform, "wincing" as he did so, and when the song came to the end he sagged to his knees and slumped to the stage.

"The stage went dark and he was taken off the stage and then his band left the stage," an eyewitness told The Telegraph.

"There was a wait of about 25 minutes before one of the stage crew came on and said Morrissey had left the building, and that he was seriously ill," the eyewitness added.

Morrissey, who is in the middle of a world tour, has already cancelled a string of shows this year due to illness.

"Just after 9pm we got a call to a 50-year-old man who was reported to be suffering from respiratory problems and was unconscious," a spokesman for the Great Western Ambulance Service said.

"When they arrived they found a conscious patient who was not feeling well at all. They made an initial assessment and took him to the Great Western Hospital for further assessment," they added.

A spokesman for the hospital later said: "Morrissey has been admitted to the Great Western Hospital. He is being reviewed by the medical staff and his condition is stable."