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Isobel Pankhurst
Actor Taron Egerton has shared an update after he collapsed on stage on first night of previews of new West End show Cock.
The star, best known for playing singer Elton John in Rocketman, had to be replaced by his understudy for the performance at the Ambassadors Theatre in Leicester Square after he passed out onstage.
One of his co-stars stopped the performance and the safety curtain was brought down.
Joel Harper-Jackson stepped in to play Egerton's role for the remainder of the play.
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Egerton has since reassured fans that he is fine, posting an Instagram story saying: "I am completely fine. Slightly sore neck and a bruised ego, but I'm fine."
Egerton has confirmed that he will return to the role for the play's next performance.
The actor then joked about the situation on Instagram, writing: "As some of you may have heard, I passed out during the first performance of Cock last night.
"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.
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"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.
"That you to the amazing team at the theatre and my wonderful cast mates for being so lovely.
"But mainly I wanted to say thanks to Joel Harper-Jackson who stepped in to do the last bit of the play.
"Joel is an amazing actor and a lovely person. Thank you, Joel. T x."
In response to this incident the show's production team have also released a statement: "During this evening’s first preview of Mike Bartlett’s play Cock at the Ambassadors Theatre, Taron Egerton fainted towards the end of the performance.
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"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."
Cock is currently showing at the Ambassadors Theatre until 4 June. Starring alongside Egerton is Jonathan Bailey (Bridgerton), Jade Anouka and Phil Daniels. The show is directed by Marianne Elliott, with a script by Mike Bartlett (Doctor Foster)