Susan Boyle
Boyle was unaware that a member of the audience had been taken ill.

Susan Boyle's first UK tour has been struck by tragedy after a member of the audience collapsed in his seat and died.

Boyle began her performance at Manchester's Bridgewater Hall on Tuesday (25 March) five minutes late, unaware that a member of the audience had been taken severely ill.

The unnamed man was given emergency resuscitation and was carried out of the venue in a stretcher to be taken to hospital in an ambulance.

Other members of the audience were asked to leave a section of the stalls as ambulance crew administered the emergency procedure.

We can confirm that an audience member was taken ill prior to the start of last night's performance. He received first aid at the scene and was taken to hospital by ambulance. We are unable to give any further information.
- Spokesperson for Bridgewater Hall

An eye witness said: "It was a member of the audience who started the CPR which was then taken over by the paramedics, who arrived within minutes. I've literally never seen an ambulance crew arrive so quickly."

A spokesperson for Bridgewater Hall said: "We can confirm that an audience member was taken ill prior to the start of last night's performance.

"He received first aid at the scene and was taken to hospital by ambulance. The start of the performance was delayed by 5 minutes. We would like to thank audience members for their assistance and concern. We are unable to give any further information."

The performance began at 7.50pm with supporting act Lance Ellington taking to the stage and introducing the Britain's Got Talent star to the Manchester audience.

Boyle has not made any comment following the tragedy.

The singer is performing across the UK as part of her first nationwide tour, with dates in 16 cities including Leicester, Birmingham, Cardiff, Bristol, London and a sold-out show in Stoke-on-Trent.