Ukraine's leading English-language newspaper since 1995

LONDON - Morrissey, the former singer in the British band The Smiths, is in a stable condition after collapsing on stage, a hospital spokeswoman said on Sunday.

The 50-year-old was taken to a Swindon hospital after suffering breathing difficulties on Saturday during a gig in the southern England town.

It is the latest cancellation he has made in his current tour of Britain due to ill-health.

Morrissey slumped to the floor after cutting short his rendition of the song "This Charming Man". Two band members carried him offstage where he was treated by an emergency medical team.

He had said to the 1,000-strong audience: "Good evening... probably," before performing The Smiths' 1983 hit, the Sunday Telegraph reported.

Mark Taylor, 40, told the Telegraph: "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." The Smiths shot to prominence in the 1980s with their bleak but sardonic songs and had a string of hits including "What Difference Does it Make" and "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now", before they split in 1988.