Howard Donald rushed to hospital with collapsed lung

Popstar Howard Donald of boyband Take That was reportedly rushed to hospital last night with a collapsed lung after doing the splits on stage.

According to reports, the 39-year-old 'Shine' star missed a performance on the band's Beautiful World tour and could be out of action for two weeks.

BritIsh newspaper The Sun is reporting that Howard is understood to have been performing a complex dance movement which also involves a backflip in Milan on Wednesday, where struggled through until the end of the show but was in so much pain that when the group arrived in Vienna next day he was taken straight to hospital.

Howard was forced to cancel his appearance in last night’s show in the Austrian capital.

A source close to the band said: “Howard is devastated. He’s never missed a show in his career and is a total professional. He told the band he’d ignore doctors’ orders and struggle through. But they told him his health must come first.”

Gary Barlow & the other two members of the band spent yesterday reorganising their two-hour show.

Howard sings lead vocals in two songs — including their smash hit Never Forget.

Another source adeed: “It puts strain on them. But they’re very disciplined and will get through.”

Howard was undergoing a series of tests last night. It is not known exactly when he will be fit to perform again.

Take That have ten more shows in Europe before starting the British leg of the tour in Birmingham on Nov 15.

Howard’s girlfriend Marie-Christine Musswessels was travelling from their home in Berlin with their 2-year-old daughter Lola to be with him.