EDINBURGH - Gombey Remo Somersall was last night hailed a hero after battling through a recent performance at the Edinburgh Military Tattoo before collapsing in agony backstage.

Remo fought on through the show in front of more than 8000 people at the historic Edinburgh Castle - despite being in severe pain from an old chest injury received in a road accident some years ago.

He fainted with the pain in the arms of his fellow dancers only seconds after leaving the Castle Esplanade.

Remo - who had a broken rib driven through a lung in the road accident - was treated at the scene by paramedics from the St. Andrew's Ambulance Service and did not require hospital treatment.

Regiment spokesman Lt. Wayne Caines said: "The same rib he injured affected his breathing - but he wasn't going to give up and continued the performance despite his distress. He just made it off the esplanade before he fainted." Remo missed Thursday's and last night's performance at the Tattoo due to his Wednesday night injury.

He was yesterday resting at the British Army's Redford Barracks in Edinburgh - the temporary home to the Bermuda Regiment band and Gombeys - and could not be contacted for comment.

But Lt. Caines said the battling Gombey was determined not to miss the final Tattoo performance tonight.

Lt Caines added: "He's said he won't miss the grand finale for the entire world - and we're sure he'll make it. He's a fighter.

"Remo and all the other Gombeys have given 110 percent every night and it has taken its toll on him after 35 performances." Lt. Caines added: "The Gombeys have participated in an arduous, but rewarding, series of performances in Edinburgh and fatigue and injury has to be factored in.

"Thankfully, it was a minor incident and Remo is resting comfortably and preparing himself for the last performance." Remo took part two weeks ago in a spectacular show by the Regiment and the Gombeys at a mini-Tattoo held at a picturesque distillery in the heart of the Highlands at Aberfeldy.

The Gombeys won hearts and minds both during and after the show, when together with other performers, they held special "master classes" for the delighted audience.

Remo was featured on the front page of The Royal Gazette trying his hand at the bagpipes - watched by a diplomatic piper from the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders, who managed not to wince at the horrendous noise.

Lt. Caines said: "He certainly had a go at the bagpipes, but I don't think that was a contributing factor to his later problems. But they do take a lot of wind to play and, judging from some of the sounds I heard, they're best left to the experts!" He added that, despite the tough regime of shows, both the Regiment and the Gombeys had come through without any major problems.

Lt Caines said: "The whole series of performances has gone very well and we have been very lucky - even with the weather."