Blaze ends show for Tony Bennett

Veteran singer Tony Bennett coolly told fans not to panic when fire broke out at the Royal Albert Hall during his sell-out show.

The 75-year-old star had to stop as he was singing his most famous hit I Lost My Heart In San Francisco, when smoke began to billow into the auditorium.

A member of staff ran on stage and whispered in his ear.

Standing calmly in the middle of the stage he told the 5,000 strong crowd: "I've just been informed there is a fire, but please don't panic."

Then he joked: "I knew I was hot, but not that hot."

There was a strong smell of burning and then smoke was seen filling the auditorium. Mr Bennett, who was half an hour into his act, stayed on stage as fans left the theatre and even had time to joke with them.

His spokeswoman Helen Solomon said: "Tony is fine and was taken back to his hotel, but is very disappointed. He didn't want his audience to be disappointed but his main concern was obviously for their safety."

Tonight's show will go ahead as planned.