Singer Morrissey resumes tour after stage collapse

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - Morrissey, the former frontman of British band The Smiths, has returned to the stage after collapsing during a concert in Britain last weekend.

Morrissey performed at London's Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday, joking about his recent collapse.

The 50-year-old was taken to a Swindon hospital after suffering breathing difficulties and slumping to the ground on Saturday during a gig in the southern England town. He spent a night in hospital as a precautionary measure.

The BBC reported that back on stage in London, Morrissey pretended to faint again before springing to his feet and declaring: "Thank you, Swindon!"

The taciturn star spoke briefly about his collapse, according to the BBC, telling the sell-out crowd: "The doctor said I shouldn't smile. I told him, 'I don't'."

Morrissey has cancelled several dates this year due to ill health, with the Royal Albert Hall gig itself rescheduled from May.

Morrissey's tour is due to move to Europe next month, with concerts in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany and Ireland. He will perform in the United States in December.

The Smiths shot to prominence in the 1980s with their bleak but sardonic songs and had a string of hits including "What Difference Does it Make" and "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now", before they split in 1988.

(Editing by Belinda Goldsmith)