Taron Egerton quits West End show for ‘personal reasons’ after on stage collapse and Covid battle

TARON Egerton has quit West End play Cock due to 'personal reasons'.

The A-list star, who has been replaced by understudy Joel Harper-Jackson, has had a torrid run of luck since the show launched last month.

He collapsed on stage during a first preview and then more recently had to take an enforced break after contracting coronavirus.

His departure was announced in a statement on Twitter today.

It read: "Joel Harper-Jackson will take over the role of M in Mike Bartlett's razor sharp, hilarious play Cock until the end of the run.

"The part was originally played in this production by Taron Egerton, who has had to withdraw from the production due to personal reasons."

Fans were devastated to learn the news, with many having booked especially to watch Taron perform.

However, those who have seen Joel in the role of M have given him rave reviews and congratulated the play for sticking by him.

Director Marianne Elliott clearly thinks highly of him, saying: "Joel is an absolute hero. He is a brilliant and gifted actor and stepped into the role at extremely short notice."

While Jonathan Bailey said the production "couldn't be luckier to have him".

Taron - famous for playing Elton John in Rocketman - was previously forced off stage at the Ambassadors Theatre in Leicester Square after passing out.

Understudy Joel stepped in to replace him in the final part of the play.

Reassuring fans afterwards, Taron, 32, said: "I am completely fine. Slightly sore neck and a bruised ego, but I'm fine.

"As some of you may have heard, I passed out during the first performance of 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 check 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.

"Thank 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."

A statement from the play’s production said: "During this evening’s first preview of Mike Bartlett’s play , 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."