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Jimmy Osmond has been diagnosed with a stroke after “pushing through” an onstage pantomime performance.
The American entertainer, 55, played Captain Hook as part of the Peter Pan panto at the Birmingham Hippodrome. He was taken to the hospital immediately after the show wrapped up on Thursday.
It was confirmed on Monday that Osmond became unwell following his panto performance on the evening of 27 December.
“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,” a statement from a representative on the venue’s website said.
“He is grateful for all the well wishes and will be taking time out in the new year.”
A spokesperson said Osmond had completed the performance and signed autographs for fans before going to hospital.
Osmond will not return to the production, the spokesperson said.
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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 heart-warming.
“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.”
Darren Day will be replacing Osmond in the role – currently being covered by his understudy, Luke Redford – from later in the week, the theatre added.
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Sign up Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events Osmond, is the youngest member of the sibling musical group the Osmonds from Ogden, Utah.
The band began as a barbershop quartet, later rising to fame in the sixties after appearing on a Disney television special. They became a variety show fixture, first becoming regulars on The Andy Williams Show before moving on to The Jerry Lewis Show .
In the Seventies, the Osmond brothers focused on performing as a pop band, releasing a string of albums throughout the decade. Their rise to stardom led to the term “Osmondmania” being coined, implying that the Osmond siblings impacted the Seventies as the Beatles did the Sixties.
Agencies contributed to this report
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