LEGENDARY former Dr Feelgood guitarist Wilko Johnson has paid tribute to hospital staff in Southend after being taken ill hours before a homecoming gig.

The resurgent rock star, who was one of the founding members of the highly influential Canvey band, was forced to cancel his sold-out show at the Oysterfleet Hotel, in Knightswick Road on Sunday after being taken ill and rushed to hospital earlier that day.

Now at home with his family, Wilko has commended staff at Southend Hospital for their care and support during his time there.

Wilko said: “I’m feeling fairly okay at the moment, but I don’t really know or couldn’t say what the trouble is at this stage until the doctors do more tests.

“However, the staff at Southend Hospital were absolutely marvellous, I was most impressed with the standard of care I received. The people who work there during the night in particular work so hard and I am grateful for their help.”

Tickets for the one-off show sold out within days with fans of the band eager to catch a glimpse of the man credited as one of the founding influences of British punk music.

However, staff at the venue were contacted Sunday afternoon, hours before it was due to start, to be told the gig would have to be cancelled.

Wilko said: “It was most disappointing not being able to perform, but unfortunately this problem started just a day before and we didn’t have much time to give them any notice. I am keeping my fingers crossed that I will be better soon and will hopefully be able to reschedule the show.”

The planned gig was part of Wilko’s two-month UK tour which was due to finish this Sunday (Nov 25).

Dr Feelgood, who all originally hailed from Canvey, were famous for hits including Milk and Alcohol and Roxette.

The original band line-up included singer Wilko Johnson, singer Lee Brilleaux who died from lymphoma in 1994, bassist John B Sparks, known as “Sparko” on bass guitar and John “The Big Figure” Martin on drums.

Wilko’s popularity on the live music scene has seen a massive boost after a film about the band’s early days, called Oil City Confidential, was released to critical acclaim in 2009.

Anyone who had tickets for last Sunday’s performance should contact the Oysterfleet Hotel for a full refund.