R. Kelly's Appendix Nixed

[Damien J.]

Wonder what the over/under is on R. Kelly losing any more body parts before his long-coming kiddie-porn trial actually starts?

The embattled R&B star is down one after undergoing an emergency appendectomy Sunday. The operation forced Kelly to miss a court date in advance of said trial.

The 40-year-old singer's appendix burst after he performed at a Super Bowl party. He was admitted to Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, where, a short time later, doctors removed the offending organ.

Kelly's attorney, Terence Gillespie, said that the "Bump 'N Grind" purveyor was in good condition and was due home outside Orlando Thursday.

But the surgery meant that Kelly, whose first name is Robert, couldn't make it to a status hearing Wednesday in his hometown of Chicago, where he's facing 14 counts of child pornography.

Kelly was indicted back in 2002 after a videotape surfaced that purportedly showed him having sex with a 13-year-old girl; the singer has maintained his innocence ever since.

The criminal case has dragged on for four years now as defense and prosecution lawyers battled over which evidence was admissible and which charges were valid.

The trial appeared to be on track to kick off last summer, but was postponed again after Cook County Judge Vincent Gaughan agreed to allow the salacious footage be screened in open court. There's still no word on a new date.

Meantime, Gillespie said Kelly should be well enough to attend the next status hearing in the case, slated for Feb. 21.

Despite the serious charges against him, the Grammy-winning "Trapped in the Closet" singer has been able to continue working, obtaining permission from the judge to travel out of state for various concert tours and other career-related engagements.

Kelly, who teamed up with Snoop Dogg for his most recent single, has also been prepping a new album.

This report is provided by E! Online

[Eddie G.]

Damn, hope he's alright.  I can't believe he's 40.