Concerts, Video — October 25, 2009 at 8:27 am

Update: Morrissey released from hospital, Monday’s Bournemouth concert postponed

Morrissey, circa 2009

Morrissey was released from a British hospital today after suffering breathing difficulties and collapsing on stage just one song into his concert Saturday night in Swindon — and at least one of his upcoming performances has been postponed.

The BBC reports that a spokeswoman for Great Western Hospital said the 50-year-old singer was kept overnight as a “precautionary measure,” but was “much improved” and was discharged. Morrissey’s management only has issued the following statement: “Morrissey is in stable condition after his collapse in Swindon Saturday night. Thanks go out to all his well wishers, more information will be posted as soon as it is available.”

Morrissey had been scheduled to perform Monday night at the O2 Academy in Bournemouth, but the venue this afternoon posted this message:

“This show will not take place on medical advice. This follows Morrissey’s hospitalization on Saturday night in Swindon. Morrissey has now been released from hospital and under instruction to rest. Ticket holders are advised to retain their tickets and await further news regarding a potential rescheduled date or refund.”

Attendees of Saturday night’s concert in Swindon say Moz — who has canceled a number of concerts this year due to unspecified health issues — took the stage at the Oasis Leisure Centre around 9 p.m., told the approximately 1,000 fans in attendance “Good evening… probably,” and then launched into The Smiths’ “This Charming Man.”

According to ThisIsWiltshire.co.uk, Morrissey “appeared to be straining to perform the song, wincing as he did so.” When the song ended, “his knees sagged and he slumped to the stage,” and was helped off by band members. Fans eventually were told the singer was “seriously ill.” (See photos, concert video and news reports from Swindon here.)

The Swindon concert was just the second date on a fall European tour supporting the singer’s new B-sides album Swords, which will be released Monday in the U.K. (and Nov. 3 in the U.S.). With the Bournemouth postponement, Morrissey’s next scheduled concert is Tuesday at Royal Albert Hall in London — which already is a make-up date following Moz’s cancellation of a May 11 concert at the famed venue.

See footage of Morrissey’s Swindon concert after the jump…

VIDEO: SkyNews report on Morrissey collapse, with concert footage, 10/25/09

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