Taron Egerton forced to pull out of C**k play for a second time

Taron Egerton attends the EE British Academy Film Awards 2020

Taron Egerton has been forced to drop out of performances for his West End play, C**k, after testing positive for COVID.

Egerton actor is currently starring in a revival of Mike Bartlett’s 2009 play alongside Bridgerton‘s Jonathan Bailey at London’s Ambassadors Theatre.

However, it was announced on Wednesday (March 23) that the Rocketman star has contracted coronavirus and will not return to the stage for the rest of the week.

A statement posted on Instagram read: “Taron Egerton has unfortunately tested positive for COVID. In accordance with the productionā€™s health & safety protocols, he will now isolate and we expect Taron to return to the show next week.”

In the meantime, Egerton will be replaced by his understudy Joel Harper-Jackson.

Taron Egerton collapsed on stage

The news comes just weeks after the actor collapsed on stage during the play’s opening night on March 5.

Egerton’s co-stars rushed to his side before a doctor in the audience came to his aid, according to theĀ IndependentĀ andĀ audience members.

The safety curtain was quickly lowered, and play director Marianne Elliott told audiences that Egerton was ā€œabsolutely fineā€ following a 40-minute break.

His understudy, Joel Harper-Jackson, stepped in and finished the remaining 15 minutes of the play.

C**k followsĀ John (Bailey), a gay man who grapples with his sexuality after meeting and falling in love with a woman (Jade Anouka).

Johnā€™s relationship with his boyfriend (Egerton) is thrown into turmoil. The pair have long been happy and content together, but now John must weigh difficult decisions about his life.