Jimmy Osmond suffers stroke while playing Capt Hook in Birmingham panto

The 55-year-old US star "pushed through" the performance but afterwards was taken ill and rushed to hospital.

A spokesperson for the Osmonds star 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 theatre have confirmed he will be replaced by TV star Darren Day later this week.

"Everyone here at Birmingham Hippodrome has been deeply saddened to hear of Jimmy's sudden illness," the theatre's chief executive Fiona Allan told ITV News.

"Jimmy loved being a part of the 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."

There are no further details about his condition.

Jimmy found fame with his family music group The Osmonds and started performing aged just three.

He was the youngest of the group who were the world's biggest band in the 1970s with hits including Crazy Horses and Love Me For A Reason.

Jimmy had a solo hit with Long Haired Lover from Liverpool which was a UK number one for five weeks in December 1972.

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