Jimmy Osmond suffers stroke on stage in pantomine

Jimmy Osmond suffered a stroke whilst starring as Captain Hook in a pantomime - but managed to finish the show.

The 55-year-old entertainer was rushed to hospital after appearing in Peter Pan at the  Birmingham Hippodrome on Thursday.

A spokesperson said he had completed the performance and signed autographs for fans before being taken for treatment.

Osmond is now taking time out to recover and will not return to the production, the spokesperson said.

A statement published on the venue's website said: "On the evening of Thursday December 27th after pushing through the evening's performance of Peter Pan at Birmingham Hippodrome, Jimmy Osmond was driven straight to hospital and diagnosed with a stroke. He is grateful for all the well wishes and will be taking time out in the new year."

The part is being covered by Osmond's understudy Luke Redford and Darren Day will take over from later this week.

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

"Jimmy loved being a part of the Hippodrome's well-renowned panto, and his portrayal of Captain Hook was both dastardly and heartwarming. 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."

Osmondis the youngest member of the sibling musical group the Osmonds.