"DRIVING Home For Christmas" star Chris Rea has cancelled tonight's gig at the Brighton Centre after collapsing in front of fans less than 24 hours ago.
The 66-year-old was said to be in a stable condition in hospital yesterday after "falling into a clump" at the New Theatre in Oxford at 9.30pm last night.
At around 10am this morning the Brighton Centre made the surprising announcement that the gig might go ahead nonetheless.
— Brighton Centre (@BrightonCentre) December 10, 2017
But moments ago the venue confirmed the gig was off.
*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
Tickets will be refunded at the point of purchase.
Darren Fewins, who was at last night's gig with his wife, told the Press Association the musician had been on stage for 45 minutes before he fell backwards.
"He was standing by the microphone and he had the guitar in his hand and he kept shaking his left hand as if there was something not quite right with it," the 46-year-old said.
"He walked forward to the microphone and he was trying to grab the microphone with his left hand, and it was swinging from side-to-side.
"I thought at first there was something wrong with it and he was trying to keep it steady. He then took three or four steps backwards.
"Then he just collapsed on the stage backwards. There was no-one there to catch him, he just fell into a clump.
"He was on his back for about two minutes before they brought the curtain down and then that was it."
Rea is currently on his The Road Songs For Lovers live tour.
He is due to perform at the Brighton Centre in a gig starting at 6.30pm tonight, and then in Bournemouth on Tuesday.
The Middlesbrough-born musician was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and had his pancreas removed in 2001.
A spokeswoman for South Central Ambulance Service said: "We were called at 9.30pm to attend to an incident in George Street in Oxford.
"We had an ambulance crew on scene and one patient has now been taken to hospital."
When asked about the condition of the person, she said they were "stable".
Mr Fewins said Rea "looked brilliant" ahead of collapsing, and said he had been talking to the crowd and getting them to clap along to the songs.
He said staff eventually declared it was the end of the show and asked people to leave the venue.
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