Shamed Baldy the Clown critically ill

A clown from the Black Country who went to court for falsely claiming benefits is today critically ill in hospital.

Doctors said Kevin Davies, also known as Baldy the Clown, was given just two days to live last week after being struck down with a mystery illness, his wife Donna said.

But the 44-year-old, of Wednesfield, has defied medics and is starting to fight back.

Just last month, Mr Davies was ordered to do 100 hours of unpaid work after admitting falsely claiming almost £5,000 in income support while working as Baldy. Mrs Davies revealed how the stress of the court case had taken its toll on her husband of two years.

"He thought the court case meant the end of his career and due to that and the stress of it, his immune system was low so whatever illness he had could just attack him full pelt," said the 36-year-old mother-of-three. "We thought he had 'man flu' at first as he had a bit of a headache. But come Monday last week, he couldn't get out of bed and went to hospital."

Mr Davies today came out of New Cross Hospital's critical care unit where doctors were trying to identify exactly what is wrong with him.

Mrs Davies continued: "They told us he had two days to live, but through his own fight and determination he has battled back.

"I remember when they told me that. I could feel the tears streaming down my face and walking down the corridor at the hospital but it felt just like I was floating.

"It is only now that he is able to communicate with people a bit."

Doctors have warned it could take anywhere between six to 12 months for Mr Davies, of Cannock Road, to make a full recovery.

Mrs Davies said she had been overwhelmed by the amount of support for him.

"He's been having get well cards from children addressed to Baldy the Clown," she said.

"There has been tremendous support for him since the court case. I haven't known anyone be negative towards him.Kevin is an incredibly popular man. His friends have really supported me through this. He really did think his career was over. He loves entertaining kids and he would be devastated if he couldn't do that. He made a mistake but he's now got things back on track.

"He's already said when he gets out he's going to do something to raise money for the critical care unit at New Cross because the staff there have been fantastic."