LEGENDARY singer Gary Brooker, famed for the classic a Whiter Shade of Pale, received a standing ovation after falling down a flight of stairs, but returning to the stage for the second half of a performance in London.

The 71-year-old lead singer and pianist for Procol Harum, a rock band formed in Southend in the Sixties, is in the middle of a tour ahead of their new album in April.

The group were performing at the Royal Festival Hall last Saturday.

At the end of the first half, Mr Brooker fell down the stage steps, injuring his head and sustaining a suspected broken hand.

He was helped up by band members and venue staff before a paramedic assessed his injuries during the interval.

The medic bandaged up his head and put his right arm in a sling before Mr Brooker decided he would still like to power through the second half of the show.

He reappeared on stage sporting a head bandage for the second half of a show which marked the 50th anniversary of a Whiter Shade of Pale.

After the show, the band took to their website to issue a statement that read: “On the way out, Gary tripped and fell on the stairs down from the stage - evident drama as he was eventually helped to stand.

“So the intermission was greatly extended, while a paramedic validated Gary Brooker’s stated intention to go back onstage.

“His eventual, courageous re-appearance, with bandaged forehead and nose, with one hand ‘broken’, was greeted with a standing ovation.”

Brooker tweeted a photo of his bandages and said: “Ready for the second set at the Festival Hall.”

Fans gave Mr Brooker a standing ovation for his return and took to twitter to share their delight with his performance and wish him a speedy recovery.

Twitter user Dale Gribble said: “This was a truly courageous performance.”

Mr Brooker shared photos of himself the morning after the fall with a severely bruised head and nose and his right arm bandaged.

The band have finished their tour for now but in May they will resume the tour after the release of their new album.