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Phoenix Nights's Ted Robbins 'stable' after onstage collapse | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Phoenix Nights comedian Ted Robbins is in a stable condition in hospital after collapsing on stage during a show at Manchester Arena, the venue has said. | |
The performance of Phoenix Nights Live was cancelled after he fell to the floor during the opening night. | |
Members of the audience were then asked to leave the 20,000-capacity venue. | |
Robbins, 59, who plays Den Perry in the show based on the Peter Kay TV series of the same name, was described as "a fighter" by his sister Kate. | |
The actress, who was one of several family members at the show, tweeted: "My brother Ted was taken ill on stage. He's been taken to a local hospital. | |
"Thank you for all your good wishes and concern. He's a fighter." | |
She later added that Robbins' family were all with him at hospital. | |
'Stunned silence' | 'Stunned silence' |
A Manchester Arena spokeswoman said the performance was stopped "so we could get Ted the help he needed". | |
The venue added in a statement: "He's been taken to hospital and is in a stable condition." | |
BBC journalist Ian Shoesmith was in the third row of the arena when Robbins collapsed shortly after the beginning of the second act, when he was performing on stage alone. | |
He said: "Everyone initially thought it was part of the act, but then my wife said: 'No, this is real, this is serious.' | He said: "Everyone initially thought it was part of the act, but then my wife said: 'No, this is real, this is serious.' |
"They brought the curtain down and then someone said everyone had to leave the building as there was an emergency going on. There was just a stunned silence." | "They brought the curtain down and then someone said everyone had to leave the building as there was an emergency going on. There was just a stunned silence." |
Comedian John Bishop, who was also in the audience, tweeted: "Travelling home from Manchester with all of my thoughts and love with Ted Robbins, his family and the rest of The Phoenix Nights cast." | |
And fellow comic Jason Manford tweeted: "#PhoenixNightsLive was wonderful before it had to suddenly stop. Thoughts are with the legendary Ted Robbins & his family. Get well soon pal." | |
North West Ambulance Service said it was called to the Manchester Arena at 21:46 GMT to a male who had collapsed and that he was taken to the Manchester Royal Infirmary. | |
Robbins played the character Den Perry, the rival of Kay's character Brian Potter in the Phoenix Nights show, in 2001 and 2002. | |
Saturday night's performance was the first of 15 shows which saw the original cast of the programme reunited. Profits from the event are going to Comic Relief. | |
Robbins has also appeared in Brookside, Doctors, Holby City, Little Britain, Coronation Street. He is currently playing Barry Quid in the revival of Birds of a Feather and The Governor in CBBC programme The Slammer. | |
He presents a morning show on BBC Radio Lancashire. |