Singer Jimmy Osmond hospitalised following serious health diagnosis

American singer Jimmy Osmond – known as the youngest member of the sibling musical group The Osmonds – has been hospitalised after a pantomime performance in the United Kingdom.

The 55-year-old had been playing Captain Hook in Peter Pan at Birmingham Hippodrome, but was hospitalised and diagnosed with a stroke shortly after his performance on December 27. His spokesperson confirmed the news.

“On the evening of Thursday December 27th after pushing through the evening’s performance of Peter Pan at Birmingham Hippodrome, Jimmy Osmond was driven straight to hospital and diagnosed with a stroke,” a spokesperson for the singer said in a statement. “He is grateful for all the well wishes and will be taking time out in the new year.”

Meanwhile, Birmingham Hippodrome’s Artistic Director and Chief Executive Fiona Allan said in a statement that the cast and crew were saddened by the news.

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“Everyone here at Birmingham Hippodrome has been deeply saddened to hear of Jimmy’s sudden illness,” she said. “Jimmy loved being a part of the Hippodrome’s well-renowned panto, and his portrayal of Captain Hook was both dastardly and heartwarming.

“He won the adoration not just of our audiences, but also of all our staff – we all send Jimmy and his family very best wishes for a speedy recovery.”

According to the Stroke Foundation, a stroke can occur when the blood supply to the brain is interrupted. This typically occurs when there is a blocked artery (known as an ischaemic stroke), or when the artery bursts (known as a haemorrhagic stroke).

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One in six people worldwide are expected to suffer a stroke in their lifetime and it kills millions of people each year. It is not yet known which stroke the father-of-four suffered.

Jimmy’s sister Mary confirmed her brother’s stroke on social media with the message: “Prayers for my brother Jimmy”.

Fans were quick to offer their support for the singer.

One wrote: “Prayers for him! I have been following your careers for 45 years and feel like I know you guys. My mom had a stroke last year – I hope he will come out of it okay.”

Another comment read: “Oh, no! I’m keeping Jimmy in my thoughts and heart. May he have a speedy recovery!”

A third added: “Praying for a swift and complete recovery! With no physical impairments or problems with speech or vision.”

To many around the world, the singer is known as “Little Jimmy”. As well as his success with his family band, he also made it as a solo artist. In fact, he was the youngest person to have a No. 1 song in the United Kingdom when his hit ‘Long Haired Lover From Liverpool’ topped the charts.

Some of his other well-known songs over the years include ‘Tweedle Dee’ and ‘I’m Gonna Knock On Your Door’. In addition to his music career, Jimmy is also a businessman and appeared in a string of movies and TV specials over the years.

More recently, he’s appeared on a string of British reality shows including I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, Celebrity Come Dine with Me, Celebrity Masterchef and even a celebrity edition of The Chase.

Jimmy has not posted about his condition on social media. His last post online was a review of his role in the Peter Pan pantomime.

Read more: ‘A change in medication caused my life-changing stroke’

Do you have a message for Jimmy? Do you know someone who has experienced a stroke?