Dancing star suffers illness

STRICTLY Come Dancing star Anton du Beke was rushed to hospital yesterday after losing consciousness.

Du Beke had been due to perform at a "tea dance" hosted by She magazine yesterday afternoon.

But a spokeswoman for the event said his representatives called ahead to say he had suddenly been taken ill.

Du Beke's agent, Louise Badger, said the dancer was now "absolutely fine". She said: "He was taken unwell suddenly and they did a variety of tests."

Ms Badger said the problem was likely to be related to low blood pressure, but it was "nothing untoward". She added that du Beke was resting at home.

A statement from the event's organisers said du Beke was "rushed to hospital" and had "lost consciousness, leading to the last-minute cancellation".