Meat Loaf goes on new fitness and diet regime following onstage collapse

Meat Loaf has embarked on a diet and fitness regime following his collapse on stage during a gig in Canada in June.

The musician, whose real name is Michael Lee Aday, was performing at a concert in Edmonton, Alberta on 16 June when he fell to the floor while singing 'I Would Do Anything For Love (But I Won’t Do That)'. He had previously cancelled shows earlier in the week due to illness.

Meat Loaf has now spoken out about the incident and given an update about his health. “I’m OK. Weak. I’ve gotta go to physical therapy,” he told Classic Rock magazine.

“I had back surgery and knee surgery within the last two years, and the knee surgery failed, so I haven’t been able to work out on tour. So I’m going to acupuncture, physical therapy, and a trainer, starting Monday for four days a week.”

The singer said he had been on a diet and had lost nearly 20lbs but planned to lose another 15 before coming to Britain to do promotional work on 28 August.

“We’re trying to watch out for my health and make it easier onstage,” he said.

Meat Loaf explained he had been feeling unwell prior to the gig in Canada and had been drinking Pedialytes, an electrolyte solution in the attempt to hydrate himself and make him able to perform. He has postponed a number of concerts following his onstage collapse but has said they will eventually be reconvened and he will continue to tour.

The singer has had health-related problems in the past. In 2003, he collapsed at a show at Wembley and underwent heart surgery the following week.