TV Star Martin Shaw collapses on Shropshire stage

TV star Martin Shaw collapsed during a matinee performance at Shrewsbury's Theatre Severn and had to be rushed to hospital, it was revealed today.

Stunned theatre-goers initially feared the actor - best known for playing the title role in ITV's Judge John Deed - had suffered a heart attack as paramedics interrupted the performance of A Country Girl yesterday afternoon before taking him to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

But Mr Shaw's agent Roger Charteris said the 65-year-old had passed out because he was suffering from broken ribs and a severe chest infection.

Mr Charteris said Mr Shaw should never have been on stage in the first place — but appeared because he "did not want to let the good people of Shropshire down".

Mr Charteris said Mr Shaw should never have been on stage in the first place — but appeared because he "did not want to let the good people of Shropshire down".

"Martin is fine," the agent said. "He has broken ribs and a severe chest infection and passed out during the matinee. He was taken to Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

"Martin wanted to do the show because he didn't want to let the public down. But he probably should not have gone on stage because he really was not well — and with the light and heat, and all the antibiotics he has been taking, he passed out.

"He didn't have a heart attack and I would like to reiterate that he is absolutely fine."

Theatre Severn operations manager David Jack said an understudy was drafted in so the matinee show could go on and confirmed Shaw did not appear in last night's performance of the touring show, which also went ahead as planned.

Midlands Ambulance Service spokesman Murray MacGregor said crews were called to Theatre Severn just after 3pm after reports of a man suffering chest pains.