Scientist Stephen Hawking was diagnosed with motor neurone disease aged 21British scientist Stephen Hawking has had to miss a symposium to mark his 70th birthday because of ill health.
Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, Vice Chancellor of Cambridge University - where the event is being held - said Mr Hawking was unwell, and had been discharged from hospital on Friday.
He said Mr Hawking, who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease aged 21, would follow the symposium via webcast.
His talk has been recorded and will be played in his absence.
Professor Hawking also had to miss all three days of a science conference held in his honour.
BBC Science Correspondent David Shukman, at the symposium, said the auditorium was packed with leading scientists and members of the public.
And hopes had been high that Prof Hawking's health would allow him to attend the gathering on Sunday.
But when Sir Leszek opened the event, he announced that Prof Hawking would not be able to attend.
The vice chancellor went on to say that if Prof Hawking was listening he wished him a very happy birthday.
At that, the audience reacted with long and warm applause, our correspondent said.
Despite spending most of his life in a wheelchair and being able to speak only through a computer, the theoretical physicist's quest for the secrets of the universe has made him arguably the most famous scientist in the world.
Many experts say he has defied medical science by reaching the age of 70 with motor neurone disease.
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