US singer Jimmy Osmond has been diagnosed with a stroke after being taken ill following a pantomime performance.

The 55-year-old, a former child star who topped the singles chart in the 1970s, had been appearing as Captain Hook in a production of Peter Pan at the Birmingham Hippodrome.

A spokesperson said he had been taken to hospital after "pushing through" with the performance last Thursday and signing autographs for fans.

"He is grateful for all the well wishes and will be taking time out in the new year," the spokesperson added.

Osmond's part in the pantomime is being covered by his understudy Luke Redford, and singer Darren Day will take over from later this week.

Birmingham Hippodrome's artistic director and chief executive said: "Everyone here at Birmingham Hippodrome has been deeply saddened to hear of Jimmy's sudden illness.

"He won the adoration not just of our audiences, but also of all our staff – we all send Jimmy and his family very best wishes for a speedy recovery."

More from Ents & Arts

Osmond is the youngest member of the sibling musical group the Osmonds.

He became the youngest person to reach number one in the UK singles chart in 1972 with the release of Long-Haired Lover From Liverpool when he was aged nine.

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