ONE of Britain's best known jazz musicians George Melly, who collapsed on stage, will still be playing to his army of fans at Eastleigh.

The jazz veteran had been performing with Digby Fairweather's Half Dozen at the Old Market in Hove, East Sussex, when he suddenly fell ill.

He was kept overnight in Brighton's Royal Sussex County Hospital in Brighton suffering from suspected dehydration.

The 80 year-old Liverpool-born entertainer and writer has health problems including emphysema and lung cancer.

Melly took part in a question and answer session in the first half of the show, which was part of a UK-wide tour.

He returned to sing with the band in the second half but slumped in his chair after the first two numbers and had to be helped off stage before being taken to hospital by ambulance.

George, along with Digby, will be headlining an international jazz night at The Concorde Club in Stoneham Lane on Wednesday February 7.

Concorde boss Cole Mathieson said he has been told George was on the road to recovery and wished him well.

Speaking to the Daily Echo, Cole said: "I understand that George had not drank much water and suddenly became dehydrated and collapsed. But in the back of ambulance he said he wanted to go back and finish the gig!"

It shows what a great showman he is and he has been a regular at The Concorde for more 35 years.

For more on this story see tomorrow's Daily Echo