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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Zara Woodcock

Jake Wood performs with Cheryl after pulling out of London Marathon for health reasons

Former EastEnders star Jake Wood is performing alongside Cheryl after pulling out of the London Marathon due to ill health.

Two days before the race, the 50-year-old took to his social media to explain his bad chest infection meant he couldn't compete.

The star, who played Max Branning in the soap, was due to take part in the race today in memory of his late co-star Barbara Windsor alongside a string of his former fellow cast mates.

A few hours later, the official Twitter page for theatre production 2:22 A Ghost Story announced Jake and Cheryl are taking part in their final performance today.

"It's happening again...one last time! Break a leg @CherylOfficial @mrjakedwood," they wrote.

"Scott Karim, Louise Ford and the rest of our current company as they have their final performances at the Lyric Theatre today."

In the picture, Jake stood on stage alongside his co-stars as the audience clapped for the cast members.

His performance on stage comes after he opened up about being unable to run in the marathon.

Filming himself wearing a grey hoodie, Jake said: "Unfortunately, I'll be unable to run the London Marathon [on] Sunday due to medical advice.

"I've got a very bad chest infection, I've had it for the last couple of weeks. I've been told in no uncertain terms to not run."

He added: "I'm gutted to not be running it with all my fellow Babs' Army, raising money for Alzheimer's Research UK.

"I'll be really sad to not be with them on the day."

Jake was due to run in the marathon as part of Babs' Army in memory of soap icon Barbara, who died in December 2020 following a battle with Alzheimer's.

Jake revealed he couldn't take part in the marathon (@mrjakewood/Instagram)
He's been suffering from a bad chest infection (@mrjakewood/Instagram)

The actress' widower Scott and other EastEnders stars including Lacey Turner, Natalie Cassidy and Adam Woodyatt have been posting their training runs together on Instagram.

Last week, the latest cast line-up for the play was announced.

Jamie Winstone will take on the role of Jenny from May 14, with Clifford Samuel, One Tree Hill actress Sophia Bush and Ricky Champ joining Ray Winstone's daughter on stage.

Unveiling the new cast on Twitter, the official account for the play wrote: "CAST ANNOUNCEMENT We’re moving next door… and we’re bringing some brand-new dinner party guests with us!

" @sophiabush @RickyChamp1 Clifford Samuel and Jaime Winstone make up the latest starry lineup set to thrill audiences at the Apollo Theatre from 14 May #222aghoststory ."

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