Gogglebox star Ellie Warner is 'unlikely to return to the show anytime soon', sources say, as she remains by her boyfriend Nat Eddleston's hospital bedside after he was hit by a car.
The plumber is said to have suffered a broken neck, a broken back and two collapsed lungs after the crash, which happened while Nat was on a night out in Leeds in March.
Ellie and her sister Izzi have not appeared on the show since the accident happened and a friend of the hairdresser's says her main focus is making sure she is there for her boyfriend and that 'nothing else matters'.
They told The Sun : "Channel 4 take duty of care really seriously.
"Obviously Ellie and Izzi are two of the most loved regulars on the show but it wouldn't be right for them to have to film a light-hearted show when Nat is in such a critical condition.
"Producers have made it clear there is no pressure to return to filming and they can take all the time they need."
Mirror Online has contacted Ellie's representative and Channel 4 for comment.
Nat was taken to hospital on 18 March after being hit by a car in the Halton area of Leeds, while he was walking home following a night out.
"The pedestrian remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital and enquiries into the incident are ongoing," a statement from police read.
Following the accident last month, West Yorkshire Police appealed for witnesses as they investigated the "serious road traffic collision".
"Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision in the Halton area of Leeds involving a white Seat Leon and an adult male pedestrian," the statement on social media read.
"Officers would like to speak to anyone who witnessed the collision, which occurred on Selby Road near to The Woodman pub at around 00:10 this morning (Saturday 19th March 2022)," they added.
Gogglebox fans sent support to Ellie during Friday’s episode as the star was absent from the Channel 4 show.
One wrote: “I really hope Ellie’s boyfriend is okay.”
Another asked: "Does anyone know how Ellie Warner's boyfriend Nat is doing after his car accident?"
Another added: "Missing Ellie and Izzie tonight. Sending love to them all and get well wishes to Ellie's boyfriend Nat."
Leeds-based star Ellie has appeared on the award-winning production alongside her sister Izzi since they joined in 2015.
Due to the coronavirus outbreak, Izzi took a brief break from the show in 2020, with Ellie's boyfriend Nat stepping in to cover the star.
