Actor Ted Robbins has collapsed on stage during the opening night of a revival of Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights live show, forcing its cancellation.
Robbins, who plays Den Perry in the show, was in the middle of a solo section when he clutched his chest, stumbled and fell to the ground, the Manchester Evening News said.
The curtain was closed immediately as staff rushed to the stage with medical equipment and the show at the Manchester Arena was cancelled.
Audience members took to Twitter to express their shock.
Tom Peck, a sports writer for the Independent who was at the show, said: "Horrible atmosphere at phones4u arena. Sold out for Peter Kay's Phoenix Nights. Show cancelled as actor Ted Robbins collapses on stage."
Dave Swanton wrote: "Thoughts are with my mate Ted Robbins taken ill during the opening night of Phoenix Nights. Get well soon pal", while Steve Ens added: "Truly hope Ted Robbins is ok ... Just watched him collapse on stage at the Phoenix Nights show. Best wishes to him & fellow cast members."
Comedian Kay has revived the characters from his Channel 4 series for a live show to raise money for Comic Relief.
His sister Kate Robbins later tweeted to say he had been taken to hospital.
She said: "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".
Robbins was reprising his Den Perry role as the main "villain" from the TV programme in 2001 and 2002, in which he famously burned down the Phoenix club.
The 59-year-old, who is a second cousin of ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney, has also appeared in Brookside, Doctors, Holby City, Little Britain and Coronation Street.
He is currently playing Barry Quid in the 2014 revival of Birds Of A Feather and heads the fictitious prison as the governor in CBBC programme The Slammer.
He was the voice of TV show Catchphrase between 1994 and 1999 and also presents a morning show on BBC Radio Lancashire.
Robbins is one of five children and lives in Lancashire with his two children.
A spokeswoman for the North West Ambulance Service said paramedics were called to the arena at 9.46pm following reports of the collapse and "took a male to Wythenshawe Hospital".
There was no word on the nature of Robbins' illness.
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