Star Wars actor Baker in hospital

Kenny Baker was inside the R2-D2 robot in all six Star Wars films

Kenny Baker, who played R2-D2 in the Star Wars films, has been admitted to hospital in the UK after suffering problems with his asthma.

The 73-year-old was taken ill during a trip to the US after attending film conventions in Chicago.

His son Kevin told the Lancashire Evening Post newspaper the asthma condition was a "recurring problem" that was "nothing serious".

But he said he would talk to his father to try to "slow down" his pace of life.

"He just loves going to these conventions and meeting his fans," Kevin added.

"He gets on so well with the other guys from Star Wars and hates turning down any opportunity to appear."

But he conceded that even if he asked his father to take it easy, he would doubtless "want to get going again as soon as he is out of hospital".

Baker is expected home at the weekend.