SHAKIN STEVENS - SHAKIN' STEVENS IN HEART SCARE

Eighties pop star SHAKIN' STEVENS is undergoing tests in hospital following a heart scare.

Heart specialists are currently trying to determine the cause of the 56-year-old heavy smoker's problems, but early investigations suggest they stem from circulation malfunctions and high cholesterol.

Stevens - who scored hits with tunes like THIS OLE HOUSE and GREEN DOOR - fell ill at the weekend (04/05DEC04) and immediately sought the advice of a doctor, who booked him into a West London hospital.

The singer - real name MICHAEL BARRATT - has now been transferred to an exclusive clinic on London's exclusive Harley Street, where he's awaiting tests.

A friend says, "He has been concerned about his health for some time. He seems to smoke a lot and that could take its toll his health."

Speaking from the Surrey, England, home Stevens shares with his wife HAZEL, his son JASON adds, "He went to hospital, but it was only a routine check-up. It was arranged - he wasn't rushed in or anything like that."