'Strained' Morrissey discharged from hospital

(EPA)

The singer Morrissey was discharged from hospital last night after collapsing on stage with breathing difficulties.

The 50-year-old former Smiths singer was performing at the Oasis Leisure Centre in Swindon on Saturday night when the gig was cut short during a rendition of his former band's song "This Charming Man".

Onlookers described seeing Morrissey "straining" to perform and slumping to his knees on stage. Two band members then rushed to his side and dragged him offstage.

A hospital spokesman said: "Morrissey became unwell, and he was admitted overnight as a precautionary measure. He's been seen by the medical team, much improved and now discharged home."

Eyewitness Mark Taylor, 40, said: "The stage went dark and he was taken off the stage and then his band all left.

"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."

Jillian Moody said the crowd did not realise initially how serious it was and expected the singer to return.

She told the BBC: "A lot of people around us had bought tickets for Morrissey concerts earlier in the year.

"He has cancelled numerous concerts so they just thought he had gone off but would be returning to the stage.

"I didn't think he looked particularly well but then again, he's well-known as a reclusive character so I just thought that was the way he was when he was on stage."