Many thousands of people are thought to be prone to faints - a condition called vasovagal syncope.

BBC: Feeling faint? Cross your legs

Some variation is normal, but if it gets too long it can upset the timing of heartbeat with potentially dire consequences - dizziness, faints and, rarely, sudden death.

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While sufferers can keep faints at bay by avoiding dangerous movements - such as standing up too quickly - and consuming enough salt and fluid, some doctors recommend exercises that patients can carry out if they feel a faint coming on.

BBC: Feeling faint? Cross your legs

Brown's stage act was as memorable, and as imitated, as his records, with his twirls and spins and flowing cape, his repeated faints to the floor at the end as band members tried in vain to get him to leave the stage.

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