Initial reports suggested that the missile was a half full plastic glass, around 25 minutes after Morrissey left the stage, a member of the crew described the object thrown as a bottle. The attack happened after Morrissey opened with ‘This Charming Man’ and was in the middle of the song ‘Black Cloud’.

This incident comes just two weeks after Morrissey collapsed on stage with breathing difficulties during a gig in Swindon.

The incident was widely reported by Fans at the Liverpool Echo Arena via social networking site Twitter. Many expressed sympathy with the star but others were angered that he did not return to the stage to finish the gig.

The announcement that Morrissey would not be returning to the stage was greeted by boos from the packed arena. One fan said: “This is a disgrace. Why does one person have to spoil it for everyone?

An Echo Arena spokeman told the Liverpool Daily Post: “We are reviewing CCTV evidence to ascertain exactly what happened. We have a strict policy of no glasses being allowed in the arena and we also decant all drink from bottles into plastic glasses at events of this kind.”

“It looked like a plastic glass but you couldn’t really tell. It appeared to hit Morrissey square on the head.”