Mystery virus attacks R2-D2!

Kenny Baker, 73, fell ill as he flew back to England from a holiday in the US, reports UK tabloid The Sun.

The short-statured star was taken to hospital once the plane touched down at Manchester Airport, with friends fearing him to be seriously ill.

But last night a family member said he was recovering and expected to be back at his home near Preston, Lancs, in a few days.

The relative said: "Kenny's conscious and talking, hopefully hell be absolutely fine."

Kenny was inside droid R2-D2's costume in all six of George Lucas' sci-fi Star Wars flicks, starting with A New Hope in 1977.