80s icon Steve Strange in hospital

Steve Strange recently talked to BBC Radio Wales' Alan Thompson about recording his hits with an orchestra

Music icon Steve Strange, who became the frontman of 1980s group Visage, has been taken to hospital with a medical condition.

His record label said he has been admitted to Princess of Wales Hospital in Bridgend with a bronchial infection and an intestinal blockage.

August Day Recordings said his hospital admission follows a long illness which has left him "virtually bed ridden".

He is undergoing an exploratory operation.

Close friend Amanda Lloyd said: "I was with Steve when he was admitted.

Steve Strange was born Steven Harrington

"He was very worried but felt that [an] exploratory operation was the best course of action so we can hopefully get an answer to the series of health issues over the past six weeks."

Strange, who was brought up in the south Wales valleys town of Newbridge, talked to BBC Radio Wales presenter Alan Thompson on Sunday about recording his hits with an orchestra.

Record bosses said over the past few days he has been trying to "conduct a normal life" while promoting his classical Visage album, Orchestral.

"But although those around him gave strict instructions relating to him doing as little as possible, Steve has been determined to push himself but, sadly, the exertion has taken its toll and he started to suffer a relapse of his ailments which has meant he has had no choice but to seek urgent medical help," they said in a statement issued online.