LONDON, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- British singing star Jamelia was recovering Saturday following surgery for an umbilical hernia, a condition that caused her to double over and collapse.
The 25-year-old singer, known for hits such as "Superstar" and "Something About You," was filming a popular Spanish music show in Madrid on Thursday when she became ill, The Daily Mail reported. She likened the pain to a bus hitting her in the stomach.
The Daily Mail said Jamelia was rushed back to London where she underwent microsurgery at St. Mary's Hospital, according to her manager, Jonathan Shalit.
The operation per se is not a major one, although complications can occur, the newspaper said. A hernia is caused when the muscles of the abdomen develop a weak spot, or defect, through which abdominal contents can bulge out.
The "belly button" is a natural weakness in the abdominal wall where hernias commonly show up.
Shalit told the Daily Mail that Jamelia "hoped to recover in time to perform with Meat Loaf at the Royal Variety Performance on Dec. 4." That is also the date that her new single, "Beware of the Dog," is due to be released.
