TLC's Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins battling 'sickle cell crisis'

TLC's Tionne 'T-Boz' Watkins was hospitalised due to a "sickle cell crisis".

The Waterfalls hitmaker has missed a number of tour dates with Salt-N-Pepa and En Vogue recently, leaving bandmate Rozonda 'Chilli' Thomas to perform solo, and it has now been explained she is trying to "regain her strength" in the wake of her struggles with the condition, which impacts the shape of red blood cells as they carry oxygen around the body.

TLC's spokesperson told USA Today: “Tionne recently experienced a sickle cell crisis that required hospitalisation, and she is currently recovering and regaining her strength.

"Because the It’s Iconic Tour is such an interactive show, we made the decision to continue, with Chilli performing and receiving incredible support from Salt-N-Pepa, En Vogue, and most importantly, the fans."

Fans were asked to continue offering prayers and support for the 56-year-old star, who was diagnosed with the condition as a child.

The representative added: "Hearing audiences sing her parts, lift her up in prayer, and surround TLC with so much love has meant more than we can express.

“Sickle cell is a serious illness, so we ask everyone to please keep the prayers coming as Tionne continues to recover. We are immensely grateful for the love and support.

Earlier this week, a clip from Chilli performing at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, went viral, with the 55-year-old star visibly emotional as she addressed T-Boz's absence.

She said in the clip: “I’m going to ask each and every one of you to help me hold her down tonight.”

Jodeci member Dalvin DeGrate has also asked fans to pray for his friend T-Boz.

He wrote on Instagram: "She's my dear friend. I want everybody to just take a second to say a prayer for her that God will heal her body and strengthen her so that she can return and do what she loves to do and be at peace and in good health.

"Let T-Boz know that we all love you and we all appreciate you and get well fast. We love you, T-Boz."

The No Scrubs singer previously revealed she was told as a child she was unlikely to "live past 30" when she was diagnosed with the condition.

Speaking on Good Morning America in 2017, she said: "I was told at seven years old I would never live past 30. I would be disabled my whole life and never have kids.