Jimmy Osmond suffers stroke after Birmingham Hippodrome panto performance
Pop icon Jimmy Osmond has been forced to pull out of the pantomime at Birmingham Hippodrome after suffering a stroke.
The singer, who was performing as Captain Hook in the production of Peter Pan, was driven to hospital and diagnosed as having a stroke on December 27.
A spokesperson for Jimmy Osmond today confirmed: “On the evening of Thursday December 27, 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.”
TV star Darren Day will take on the role of Captain Hook and will appear on the Hippodrome stage later this week.
Jimmy's understudy, Luke Redford, will continue to cover the role while Darren prepares to take on the part.
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."
