Chris Rea’s gig at the Brighton Centre this evening (Sunday 10 December) has been cancelled after the singer collapsed on stage last night.
A tweet from the Brighton Centre said: “Cancellation – Statement from Chris Rea’s Promoter’s: Unfortunately Chris Rea has had to cancel tonight’s show at Brighton Centre due to illness.
“A decision about the outstanding date on his UK tour on 12th Dec at Bournemouth International Centre will be made in the near future.”
The BBC reported: “Singer Chris Rea is said to be in a stable condition in hospital after collapsing during a performance.
“Fans posted on Twitter that they saw the 66-year-old ‘fall backwards’ mid-song at the New Theatre Oxford.
“Rea, who is known for his hits Driving Home for Christmas and Road to Hell, is on tour to promote his new album.”
Its report also said: “South Central Ambulance Service said it was called at 9.30pm to an incident at the venue and that one patient had been taken to hospital.”
And it added: “Rea had his pancreas removed in 2001 after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.
“He suffered a stroke in 2016, but recovered to launch an album in September and embark on his tour around Europe from October.
“He told BBC Breakfast in August this year that he still felt the effects of the stroke.”
The singer said: “I’m fine when I’m sitting down. I’ve just got a little bit of balance – it’s a bit dodgy, just in case anyone thinks I’m drunk on stage.”
*CANCELLATION* Statement from Chris Rea’s Promoter’s: Unfortunately Chris Rea has had to cancel tonight’s show at Brighton Centre due to illness. A decision about the outstanding date on his UK tour on 12th Dec at Bournemouth International Centre will be made in the near future.
— Brighton Centre (@BrightonCentre) December 10, 2017