Singer Morrissey in hospital after collapsing on stage

(AFP/DIEGO TUSON)

British singer Morrissey was in a stable condition Sunday, a hospital said, after collapsing on stage with breathing problems.

The 50-year-old former frontman of 1980s pop band The Smiths fell ill just one song into his concert Saturday at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon, southwest England.

Morrissey's knees buckled and he slumped to the floor as he came to the end of opening song "This Charming Man", The Smiths' 1983 breakthrough hit, The Daily Telegraph newspaper's website said. He was then dragged offstage.

"Just after 9:00 pm we got a call to a 50-year-old man who was reported to be suffering from respiratory problems and was unconscious," said a spokeswoman for the Great Western Ambulance Service.

"We sent a paramedic in a doubled-crewed ambulance.

"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 (in Swindon) for further assessment."

His condition was not thought to be life threatening, she added.

"The stage went dark and he was taken off the stage and then his band all left the stage," The Daily Telegraph's website quoted 40-year-old eyewitness Mark Taylor as saying.

"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.

"Everybody started booing, thinking 'here we go again'. He has a bit of a poor track record for cancelling his concerts."

The Mancunian singer has been touring North America and Europe since releasing his ninth solo album, "Years of Refusal", in February.

He has cancelled several concerts during the tour, including dates in Florida, North Carolina, California, Britain and France.

"Morrissey was brought in to the Accident and Emergency department," said a Great Western Hospital spokeswoman.

"He has been seen by the medical team. At this stage his condition is stable."