Turner collapses during theatre rehearsal

Kathleen Turner has collapsed while rehearsing for an off-Broadway show she is directing.

The actress, 53, passed out in the middle of a scene in Southern drama Crimes Of The Heart, for which she has received rave reviews.

A source told the New York Daily News: "She had to be helped home."

Responding to speculation that Turner was drunk, another insider said: "I've never seen her drink at the theatre, but what she does on her own time I can't say."

Turner recounted her battle with alcohol addiction in her new autobiography Send Yourself Roses. She checked into rehab shortly after ending her run in The Graduate in 2002.

However, her spokesman denied that booze was a factor in the collapse, saying: "She's been on national TV shows, directing a play and on a book tour for the last month. When is there time to drink?"

Turner recently revealed that she is missing sex after being celibate for two years.