Justin Bieber will perform tonight despite being taken ill and fainting backstage at 02 Arena

Justin Bieber tweeted this picture from his hospital bed last night

Justin Bieber might be famous for making young girls breathless but the star is “getting better” after experiencing a bout of breathlessness himself and fainting backstage at the 02 Arena last night.

The Canadian star, 19, was given oxygen by paramedics and took 20 minutes to recover after retreating from the stage on the third night of the London leg of his tour after telling fans he was “breathless” and needed water during his concert.

The teen sensation’s manager Scooter Braun said he was seen by medical staff after coming off-stage complaining of breathlessness and was told not to return to the stage by a doctor.

Late last night Bieber posted an instagram photograph of himself shirtless in a hospital bed. He tweeted: “Getting better. thanks for everyone pulling me thru (sic) tonight. best fans in the world. figuring out what happened. thanks for the love.”

The incident occurred 30 minutes into Bieber’s third London 02 gig date. During Bieber’s absence his manager told the crowd that the singer was feeling "very low of breath" but would come back to finish the show.

In a video posted by a fan on YouTube Braun said: “Justin got very light of breath, the whole show he's been complaining. He's backstage with the EMTs (emergency medical team) and the doctor.”

“They're telling him they want him to go and see somebody and find out what's going on with his lungs, he's just told me that in five minutes, if it's OK with you guys, he's going to come out and finish the show.

“So he might not be jumping around as much and everything else, you guys need to be patient with us, we're not trying to be disrespectful, we're not trying to get you guys home late, we're truly trying to put on a show for the people who love him.”

Concert-goers said many fans were gasping and crying, while others kept cheering for him to return.

Bieber returned after around 20 minutes to perform low energy renditions of “Boyfriend” and “Baby” which was "against the wishes of his doctors' orders" according to his spokeswoman.

She added that the singer had not been suffering from any health issues prior to the show.

Braun later tweeted "everyone please give him a little space and he will be ok. Im sure he appreciates the support ... Tough kid proud night once again he always finishes the show. Full out. True pro...(sic)"

Bieber was checked out in hospital after the show ended. He is due on stage for his final 02 concert at 9pm tonight.

The star confirmed this afternoon that he will perform this evening despite continuing to feel "under the weather".

It has been a dramatic week for the singer who received a storm of abuse from fans who had paid £70 to see him when he turned up late for his performance.

The "As Long As You Love Me" singer left thousands of fans, many of whom were young children, waiting for two hours before starting his set at 10.22 on Monday night. Many were forced to leave prior to the end of the performance or risk being stranded in Greenwich due to transport constraints.

On Tuesday Bieber apologised to his 35 million Twitter followers for the furore but denied he had been two hours late.

In a series of Tweets, he said: “Waking up to a crazy day. Last night I was scheduled after three opening acts to go on stage at 9.35 not 8.30, but because of some technical issues I got on at 10.10. So I was 40 minutes late to stage. There is no excuse for that and I apologise for anyone we upset.”

Bieber added: “My relationship with the media is not always easy but I'm trying” and said “since I have been here it hasn't been easy with the press at times.”

Bieber said: “However it was (a) great show and I'm proud of that…I'm all about the music and the performance and I respect my fans.”

Yesterday the singer hit back at his critics on Twitter again in a lengthy tirade, which started: "rumors rumors and more rumors. nothing more nothing less. might talk about them 1 day. rt now im just gonna be positive. cant bring me down" and ended: "so yeah I will continue being me. i will continue to serve, to perform, to care, to love, to smile, to dance, to play, to sing..."