Former England manager Glenn Hoddle is rushed to hospital

Glenn Hoddle, Photo / Getty

Former England manager Glenn Hoddle was rushed to hospital today after collapsing in the BT Sport studio on his 61st birthday.

BT Sport has shed light on the news with a recent update, they said: 'Glenn Hoddle is in hospital and receiving the very best possible treatment'.

BT Sport Presenter Jake Humphrey said Hoddle was 'taken seriously ill' after appearing as a guest on football programme Saturday Morning Savage. The nature of the illness is not yet clear.

Moments before his collapse, Hoddle was filmed laughing and smiling as he played teqball - a cross between table tennis and football - with fellow guest Paul Ince during a break in the studio in Stratford, east London.

The footage showing the pundit in high spirits was taken and uploaded to Instagram by footballer Steve Sidwell.

Dozens wished Hoddle well on social media including former England teammate Gary Lineker who tweeted: 'Hugely worrying news that Glenn Hoddle collapsed at the BT studios earlier. Thoughts are with him and his family. Come on Glenn'.

Earlier today a BT Sport spokesman told MailOnline: 'Earlier today Glenn Hoddle was taken ill at the BT Sport studio.

'Glenn received medical attention on site and he was then taken to hospital. All our thoughts are with Glenn and his family.'

The spokesman declined to reveal the nature of Hoddle's illness but confirmed he did not appear on air.

The Football Association, via the England team account, wrote: 'Worrying news. Get well soon, Glenn Hoddle, we're all behind you.'

Chelsea FC, for whom Hoddle played, tweeted: 'Our thoughts are with former Blues boss Glenn Hoddle, who has been taken seriously ill on his 61st birthday. We're right with you, Glenn.'

The official West Ham United Twitter account also sent out a message of support.

BT Sport has sent out its support saying: 'The thoughts and wishes of everyone here at BT Sport are with Glenn and his family at this time. Your friends, colleagues and the whole football family are with you.'

'Best wishes to Glenn Hoddle, who has been taken to hospital after falling ill before his pundit appearance on BT Sport today. Our thoughts are with you.'

This is while Tottenham Hotspur said: 'Everybody at the Club sends their best wishes to @GlennHoddle for a full and speedy recovery after he was taken ill this morning.'

The Professional Footballers' Association also said: 'The thoughts of everyone at the PFA are with Glenn Hoddle, who is seriously ill and has been taken to hospital. Get well soon, Glenn.'

Hoddle, who earned 53 England caps, made his name in the 1970s as an outstanding ball-playing midfield player with Tottenham. He spent 12 years with the London club before joining Monaco.

He then had spells managing Swindon and Chelsea before taking charge of England between 1996 and 1999.

His time as manager ended controversially when he was sacked for suggesting disabled people were being made to pay for the sins of past lives. He admitted a 'serious error of judgement.'

Hoddle has been married twice, first to Christine Stirling from 1979 to 1998, and again two years later to Vanessa Colbourn, with whom he split in 2015.

He has three children Zara, Jamie and Zoe from his first marriage.