Singer Lionel Richie checked himself into hospital after appearing to “struggle” on stage during a weekend performance, US media outlets report.

TMZ was among the first to reveal that Richie was undergoing tests in intensive care in a St Louis hospital, Missouri.

Audience members on Saturday night told TMZ that Richie appeared to be struggling towards the end of the show in Forest Park.

The 77-year-old asked for a chair and sat down to perform his final song All Night Long, as shown in a YouTube video by bigconcertfan.com, but still appeared in good spirits.

Sources told the outlet Richie checked himself into the local hospital as a precautionary measure after his performance.

“We’re told Lionel is being cautious and doctors are looking into possible slight dehydration. Our sources say he’s hoping to be discharged Tuesday,” reported TMZ.

America’s ABC News also reported that Richie had checked himself in “out of an abundance of caution”.

Only a couple of months ago, Richie was rushed to hospital after telling his audience he felt “dizzy” and “strange” on stage during the opening concert of his Earth, Wind & Fire tour in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The show was cut short and paramedics who met him backstage transported the musician to hospital.

He subsequently postponed two shows in Ohio and Chicago while following doctors’ orders for rest, returning to the stage on June 30 in Pittsburgh.

The tour of North America launched in January and concluded in August. (The New Daily, Australia)