Tim Burton and Helena Bonham CarterDirector Tim Burton was hospitalized in December to treat "ongoing" issues with painful kidney stones, reports the Daily Star.

Actress and long term partner of the director Helena Bonham Carter revealed at the British Independent Film Awards in December that Burton was not present at the show due to his health problems.

She told the audience, "My dear boyfriend, who sadly is not here... he is pushing out a kidney stone as we speak."

The Mail on Sunday reveals that Burton's condition worsened later in December, and he was briefly hospitalized.

"Tim has been ill for weeks," said a source. "He thought he would have the all-clear by Christmas, but the problem was ongoing."