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80s icon Hazel O'Connor is 'living hand to mouth' four years after suffering a bleed on the brain.
Coventry-born star Hazel, 72, is famed for hits including Eighth Day, D-Days and Will You and has had a career stretching over five decades and 20 albums.
Her work as an actress soared in 1980 when she played the role of Kate in the film Breaking Glass and performed on the accompanying soundtrack, which was nominated for a BAFTA.
Hazel continued to make music and tour in her later years but in 2022 her family announced she had collapsed whilst alone at her house in the South of France and was diagnosed with a bleed on the brain.
Friends of the star have since set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for her ongoing care as they explained despite her success she has been left with no savings 'due to an unscrupulous music industry.'
Close friends of Hazel's Claire Wheeler and Danny Gerrard have detailed her struggles on the donations page, which was first set up a year ago.
80s icon Hazel O'Connor is 'living hand to mouth' four years after suffering a bleed on the brain, with a fundraising page set up for the star's care
Coventry-born star Hazel, 72, is famed for hits including Eighth Day, D-Days and Will You has had a career stretching over five decades and 20 albums (pictured in 1986)
'Hazel is a real fighter, and she has spent the last three years battling in her recovery, friends have written.
'Money has already been raised to help cover medical expenses and bills and Hazel is eternally grateful.
'Despite her fame, Hazel has lived hand to mouth all her life and had no savings. She has been unable to work since the bleed.'
They explained how 'Hazel still requires carers three times a day and the considerable monthly bill is a constant worry.'
After a recent surge in donations, fans and friends have managed to raise nearly £25,000 for the star.
The bleed affected the right-hand side of the star's body causing movement and speech difficulties. Further updates on the page and on Hazel's social media show her enjoying regular singalongs as part of her speech rehabilitation.
Hazel was found at her home in south-west France in January 2022, having experienced a 'serious medical event'.
She was alone at the time of her collapse with just her two dogs and it was some time before she was discovered.
Hazel continued to make music and tour in recent years but in 2022 her family announced she had collapsed whilst alone at her house in France and was diagnosed with a bleed on the brain
At the time her brother Neil announced she was admitted to hospital and placed in an induced coma for 24 hours after the brain bleed was diagnosed - and said the situation was 'touch and go.'
He added in a Facebook message in the weeks after the incident that Hazel had shown a lot of progress and was 'responding to stimuli and to treatment', but her recovery will 'take a while.'
Hazel's close friend Toyah Willcox was among those to send supportive messages, writing on social media: 'DEAREST HAZEL YOU ARE IN OUR PRAYERS, YOU ARE IN GOOD HANDS AND WE LOVE YOU, TOYAH XXX'.
Toyah and Hazel were due to tour together six months after the accident.
Hazel now lives full time in France. She married artist Kurt Bippert in 1987 but they divorced in 2000.
She had previously dated Hugh Cornwell and Midge Ure.
The star got her own star on Coventry's Walk of Fame in 2010 and performed during the city's City of Culture festival.
An exhibition marking the life and career of the singer, songwriter and actress opened in February in the city.
English (US) ·