Marcia Hines collapses at Australian Idol grand final, rushed to hospital

Australian pop icon Marcia Hines has been rushed to hospital after suffering a medical emergency in her changing room.

The West Australian understands Hines, who is a judge on Channel 7’s Australian Idol collapsed in a dressing room at the Sydney Coliseum Theatre in Rooty Hill this afternoon.

The 70-year-old, who was due to perform this evening on the reality show’s grand final, would be replaced by Guy Sebastian as a judge.

“Marcia had a medical emergency and was rushed to hospital,” a production source told East Coast media.

“She won’t be on Idol tonight. Guy Sebastian filling in as judge.”

Staff were understood to be told the issue was related to her diabetes, but other sources told media she had injured her head in a fall.

Hines was believed to be in a stable condition.

Idol host Ricki-Lee Coulter told viewers of Hines’ absence.

“You will have spotted that we are missing someone very important and very special to the Idol important and very special to the Idol family. Unfortunately, Marcia is unwell and unable to join us tonight,” she said.

Hines fellow judge Kyle Sandilands added: “Sorry, sorry. That’s a real downplay. She was taken out of here in an ambulance.”

“Just so that everyone knows. She’s fine. She’s well. But she didn’t just ring up with a headache. She went down.”

Hines has been a Type-1 diabetic for almost 40 years.