AMERICAN IDOL - BICE FALLS ILL ON THE EVE OF RADIO MUSIC AWARDS

The curse of the Radio Music Awards struck again this weekend (18DEC05) when former AMERICAN IDOL contestant BO BICE was forced to pull out of last night's (19DEC05) ceremony due to illness.

The rocker was a last-minute addition to the Las Vegas, Nevada, show after ASHLEE SIMPSON pulled the plug on her performance after passing out backstage at an MTV Japan TV show on Friday (16DEC05).

But, Bice suffered complications from prior intestinal surgery in August (05) and was taken to hospital on Sunday night. RMA bosses were forced to beg rockers GOO GOO DOLLS to fill in.

Bice was expected to fly home to Nashville, Tennessee yesterday (19DEC05).

His publicist ROGER WIDYNOWSKI says, "He didn't collapse but was rushed to the hospital. Bo is doing fine."

Bice was in Las Vegas with other American Idol contestants in August (05) when he underwent emergency surgery to repair a blocked intestine. The recovery period required forced him to stop touring with the show.