Jazz singer Melly collapses during show

11 April 2012
The Weekender

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Jazz singer George Melly is recovering in hospital after collapsing on stage during a performance, his wife has said.

The 80-year-old was performing with Digby Fairweather's Half Dozen at the Old Market in Hove, East Sussex, when he suddenly fell ill.

He was kept in overnight at the Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton where he is expected to make a full recovery after overcoming suspected dehydration.

The Liverpool-born entertainer and writer has been suffering from health problems including emphysema and lung cancer.

Melly took part in a question and answer session in the first half of last night's show, which was part of a UK-wide tour.

He returned to sing with the band in the second half but slumped in his chair after the first two numbers and had to be helped off stage before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

In the audience was his 20-year-old granddaughter Kezzie, a student at the University of Sussex, who accompanied him to hospital.

Speaking from their home in Shepherd's Bush, west London, his wife of 45 years, Diana Melly, 69, said: "I believe he became dehydrated during the performance and just collapsed.

"He has been taking some new medication and I suspect it might have something to do with that.

"Apparently after he was carried off stage, they gave him a glass of water and he came to and said 'Right I'm going back on'.

"But of course our granddaughter stopped him and he was taken to accident and emergency, and has been transferred to a ward."

She said he was expected to be fit for his next show on February 10.

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