United Kingdom, Oct. 5 -- Eric Dane missed the Emmy Awards because he was in hospital.

The 52-year-old actor - who revealed in April he had been diagnosed with ALS (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), also known as motor neurone disease - had been due to present an award at last month's ceremony with Grey's Anatomy co-star Jesse Williams but his pal gave out the prize on his own, and Eric has now explained he was receiving treatment for a head injury after losing his balance and falling over at home.

He told the Washington Post newspaper: "ALS is a nasty disease.

"So I was in the hospital during the Emmys getting stitches put in my head.

"I missed an opportunity I was really looking forward to.

"It would have been great to see Jesse and ...