Morrissey ill after stage collapse

Singer Morrissey was taken to hospital unconscious and with breathing problems after collapsing on stage in Swindon last night.

The 50-year-old former Smiths frontman, who has cancelled a number of gigs due to illness this year, came onstage looking drawn, and greeted fans with the words: "Good evening ... probably."

Members of the 1,000-strong audience at the Oasis Leisure Centre said he sounded strained as he performed his song "This Charming Man", then slumped to his knees and was dragged offstage by members of his band.

"There was a wait of about 25 minutes before one of the stage crew came on and said that Morrissey had left the building, and that he was seriously ill," said Mark Taylor, 40, who was in the audience. "Everybody started booing, thinking 'here we go again'. He has a bit of a poor track record for cancelling his concerts."

He was in a stable condition in Swindon's Great Western Hospital last night.