FORMER Brookside star Vince Earl is ill in a Merseyside hospital fighting a rare disorder.

The much-loved actor, who played Ron Dixon in the Liverpool-made soap, is being treated for Goodpasture’s syndrome – which affects just one in two million people.

Goodpasture’s syndrome is an auto-immune disorder that can affect the kidneys and the lungs.

The comedian’s son last night said that, although the Birkenhead-born cruise line entertainer was critically ill, he was responding well to kidney dialysis and treatment at Arrowe Park Hospital.

Stephen Earl, 32, said: “He is seriously ill and was very unwell for the first couple of days, but he is quite bright.

“He’s been laughing and joking and has come to terms with it and he is ready to give it a good fight.

“Goodpasture’s syndrome is very rare, but the success rate is pretty good so we are all hopeful.

“We’ve been told he will have to spend a minimum of three weeks in hospital, but we don’t know when he will be able to come home.

“All the family are going to see him and he’s responding well to the treatment.”