Taron Egerton has issued a statement to reassure worried fans after collapsing on stage during the first night of his new West End play.
The Rocketman and Kingsman actor, 32, who grew up in Aberystwyth, is starring alongside Jonathan Bailey in a revival of Mike Bartlett’s 2009 play Cock at London’s Ambassadors Theatre.
During Saturday night’s first preview, he fainted on stage and was attended to by a doctor in the audience.
His understudy Joel Harper-Jackson stepped in and the cast were able to finish the play.
Taron Egerton issues update after collapsing on stage
Egerton released a statement via his Instagram story promising to return to the show on Monday night.
He said: “As some of you may have heard, I passed out during the first performance of Cock last night.
“I am completely fine. Slightly sore neck and a bruised ego but I’m fine.
“I’ve decided to put a positive spin on it and I would appreciate it if anyone who was in the theatre last night just said that I gave such a committed, electrifying performance that my body couldn’t handle it and checked out.
“That being said, apparently you’re meant to actually do the full show and not just three quarters of it. So I’ll be back with a vengeance tomorrow night.”
He also praised Harper-Jackson as “an amazing actor and a lovely person”, adding: “Thank you Joel.”
A statement from the production said: “During yesterday evening’s first preview of Mike Bartlett’s play Cock at the Ambassadors Theatre, Taron Egerton fainted towards the end of the performance.
“A doctor who was in the audience attended to Taron immediately after the incident, and whilst he felt fine, it was decided that Taron’s understudy, Joel Harper-Jackson would continue in the role to complete the performance.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here