Ill Leno cancels taping of show

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US TV talk show host Jay Leno has been admitted to hospital, forcing the star to cancel the filming of his programme for the first time in 17 years.

The presenter's publicist confirmed he had checked himself into a Los Angeles hospital for observation and said the undisclosed illness was "mild".

Tracy St Pierre, spokeswoman for NBC's The Tonight Show said: "Jay Leno is doing just fine."

The 58-year-old is expected to return to work next week.

Celebrity guests

"He was kidding around with the hospital staff and running his monologue jokes by the doctors and the nurses," Ms St Pierre said.

Wolverine actor Ryan Reynolds, celebrity animal trainer Jules Sylvester and band Big Bad Voodoo Daddy had been scheduled to appear as guests on the cancelled show.

"We wish Jay the speediest of recoveries and hope that our sound check this morning didn't have anything to do with his illness or the cancellation of the show," the music act's manager Chad Jensen said.

Leno, who often performs stand-up shows on the days when his show is not on air, is due to leave The Tonight Show in May after 17 years.

The star, famous for attracting A-list celebrities to the programme, made the announcement that he was leaving last year.

Conan O'Brien is set to replace Leno, who took over from veteran Johnny Carson in 1992.