American singer Lionel Richie was hospitalised in the intensive care unit after a concert over the weekend.

American media outlet TMZ, which first reported the news on Aug 31, said Richie checked himself into a hospital after the show in St Louis on Aug 29.

The 77-year-old is currently on tour with Earth, Wind & Fire and is scheduled to perform next with the American band in San Francisco on Sept 26.

According to sources quoted by TMZ, doctors are treating Richie for possible dehydration and that he is hoping to be discharged on Sept 1.

Fans who attended the concert on Aug 29 told TMZ that Richie asked his team to bring a chair towards the end of the show so that he could sit while performing his song All Night Long (1983).

Richie is one of the regular judges on singing competition American Idol and is known for songs such as Stuck On You (1983), Say You, Say Me (1985) and My Destiny (1992).

The singer suffered a health scare on June 24 during his concert in Saint Paul in Minnesota and was sent to hospital.

According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Richie told the 10,000 fans then that he was feeling dizzy and performed his energetic hit Dancing On The Ceiling (1986) while sitting on a step on the stage. 

He also sat down at the piano to perform the song Three Times A Lady (1978) before taking a surprise “intermission” and left the stage.

He postponed two subsequent shows in Chicago and Columbus, Ohio, before returning to perform in Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania on June 30.

He said in an Instagram post on July 4 that he was doing well and thanked fans for their support and concern.