Adam Ant Sectioned Under UK Mental Health Act

Posted on May 23rd 2010 3:00PM by Liz Colville
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Adam Ant has checked into a mental health facility in London following an outburst during a comeback concert at a church two weeks ago. The former Adam and the Ants singer, whose real name is Stuart Goddard, was sectioned under the UK Mental Health Act of 1983. The singer suffers from bipolar disorder and was previously sectioned in 2003.

Ant is receiving treatment at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, according to the Music Fix, and released a statement about the developments to fans. "Ant fans -- please send me postcards at the Chelsea & Westminster hospital, Fulham Road," he said, discouraging fans from coming to the hospital itself because "it may upset the staff who have been really pleasant."

Ant said he hoped to be back in good form later this year. "I am having a well earned rest at Her Majesty's Pleasure and am painting and continuing being an art student," he said. "I have a great view and am considering gigs later in the year."

The news of Ant's treatment follows not one but several controversial appearances by the singer, the most discussed incident being an intimate show at a Christian charity event at a church in Hampshire May 10, where Goddard told the audience to "f--- off" before storming off stage. The event was part of Ant's promotion of his new album, 'Adam Ant Is the Blueback Hussar in Marrying the Gunner's Daughter,' and was in support of a charity working for "starving children in the Philippines," according to local newspaper the Portsmouth News.

The 200-capacity event went downhill when Ant began singing the Rolling Stones' 'Sympathy for the Devil,' which led to jeering from the audience. Contact Music reported that Adam Ant then told the crowd, "I'm a punk rocker. I don't do Christian. You can f--- off to the church," before leaving the stage. The event was ended early. The Portsmouth News also reported a scuffle between Ant's nieces and Sam Courtney, son of the music promoter Nick Courtney.

Following the debacle, Ant made comments to the press that may have fanned the flames. "I came here to see [British warships] Victory and Warrior because I'm proud to be English," he told the Portsmouth News. "I didn't come here for this. I won't talk to any locals any more because they are all gangsters."

Adam Ant on AOL Music