Morrissey resumes tour in London

Morrissey has had to cancel several gigs this year due to ill health

Singer Morrissey returned to the stage at London's Royal Albert Hall on Tuesday, and made light of his collapse during a recent concert in Swindon.

"Fasten your seatbelts it's going to be a bumpy night," he declared, launching into the Smiths' hit This Charming Man.

That song had been the last one he played before collapsing with breathing difficulties on Saturday night.

In London, he pretended to faint again, before springing to his feet and declaring: "Thank you, Swindon!"

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

US dates

The 50-year-old has cancelled several dates this year because of illness. The Royal Albert Hall gig itself had been rescheduled from May.

It seemed to be in jeopardy again when Morrissey was taken to hospital in Swindon on Saturday, after two members of his band carried him off stage.

A show in Bournemouth, due to take place on Monday, was postponed, but the star's spokeswoman said he was now "rested and absolutely fine".

Morrissey's tour is due to move onto its European leg next month, including gigs in the Netherlands, France, Belgium, Germany and Ireland.

The former Smiths singer then tours the US throughout December.