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Singer Chris Rea collapses on stage

EPA Chris ReaEPA
Chris Rea is currently touring around Europe and the UK

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.

A concert due to take place in Brighton on Sunday has now been cancelled. A decision has not yet been made on a concert due in Bournemouth on Tuesday.

Darren Fewins, who was in the audience in Oxford, said Rea had been on stage for about 45 minutes when he collapsed halfway through a song.

He told the Press Association that Rea, who was born in Middlesbrough, was "playing the best I have ever seen" before his fall.

South Central Ambulance Service said it was called at 21:30 GMT to an incident at the venue and that one patient had been taken to hospital.

Staff at the theatre tweeted that they "appreciate everyone's patience" and will update people with news when they have it.

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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.

"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."