Isaac Hayes in hospital

Singer and South Park star Isaac Hayes is being treated in hospital for exhaustion, it emerged today.

The musician, who is best known for his 1971 number one hit with the theme from the film Shaft, is apparently overworked but now getting better.

His longtime songwriting partner David Porter told The Commercial Appeal newspaper Hayes checked in to a hospital in Memphis last night.

“He’s just overworked and had been in Atlantic City performing, the (Washington) DC area performing, and in Tunica, Mississippi, a couple of nights ago,” Porter said.

“He’s doing much better.”

Hayes, 63, is the voice of Chef in the hit TV show South Park.

He won a best original song Oscar for Shaft, and a Golden Globe for best original score.

His songwriting partnership with Porter in the 1960s saw success with hits for Sam and Dave including Hold On, I’m Coming and Soul Man.