Actor Martin Shaw is hoping to return to the stage on Friday night after spending the night in hospital following a collapse on stage in Shrewsbury.
The 65-year-old star - known to TV viewers for his role in Judge John Deed among other high profile shows - passed out during an afternoon performance of The Country Girl.
He had to be replaced by an understudy following an unscheduled interval and looks likely to miss tonight's performance.
Shaw, who shot to fame in TV's The Professionals in the late 1970s, took to the stage despite a chest infection and problems with his ribs because he did not want to disappoint the audience.
But he was overcome during the show at the Severn Theatre, in which he plays a boozy actor alongside Jenny Seagrove.
His agent Roger Charteris said: "He did pass out on stage during the matinee performance and it was a combination of a severe chest infection, a broken rib, antibiotics and lights.
"He probably shouldn't have gone on stage but he didn't want to let down the people of Shropshire.
"He spent the night in hospital. He's absolutely fine now but he needs to rest and we have to wait for the doctor when he will return."
The agent added: "Martin wants to be back on stage as soon as he can. He will probably be back tomorrow."
