By Teino Evans, Staff Reporter

Reggae singer Sanchez, real name, Anthony Jackson was reportedly poisoned after performing at a show in London, England recently.

According to Vonnie McGowan-Arscott, publicist and marketing consultant for Sanchez, it was a near-death experience for the singer.

"We just came back from London, where we did a show at the Hammersmith Apollo Theatre last Sunday. Sanchez did the show with Freddie McGregor, the Millennium Band and Chronic. They played to about 5,000 people and it could easily be described as his best performance yet," McGowan-Arscott said.

She continued, "After the show, we were backstage. Everybody has their individual dressing room and they provided refreshment, but as a rule Sanchez doesn't normally take refreshment, but someone offered him a drink and apparently the cup was switched and he was poisoned."

McGowan-Arscott stated, "After he returned to his hotel, some fans came there and he was complaining of being very, very tired and that was unlike him, so he only signed autographs for about half an hour. After about an hour, he called my room and said he felt sick, and by the time I went over his pulse was barely there, he was basically lifeless."

Heart attack-like symptoms

"He was in intensive care for about 15 hours. The symptoms were that of heart attack but given his clean medical history, they discovered that it was something that he ingested."

Sanchez, who has made a miraculous recovery and is now at home in Jamaica resting, says he is counting his blessing.

"Tell yuh di truth, mi just give God thanks fi be alive one more time an' mi want mi fellow workers to be careful about who an' who come around you because it was almost fatal," Sanchez told The Star in a brief telephone interview.

McGowan-Arscott continued, "It appeared to be a robbery attempt, because there were some persons who wanted him to attend an after party, but he didn't want to, so they stayed at the hotel. It was like a set up for a robbery. Because even when we came from the hospital, the room was totally ransacked. We managed to safeguard his valuables and although he had quite a bit of cash, it was not on him."

"This should serve as a warning to all our artistes who go overseas to do shows. Be careful who comes backstage with you and who knows which hotel you are staying at."

Sanchez, who is expected to perform at Symphony, Together Under The Stars, this Saturday on the Lawns of King's House says fans can definitely look out because, "I'll definitely be there in full flight."