Matt Lucas has had to withdraw from Les Misérables in the West End following a back injury.
Lucas, who played conniving pub landlord Thénardier in the concert version of the musical, stepped into the new production after the original actor Gerard Carey contracted vocal damage through pneumonia.
He has been playing the part since December 23, but will now be replaced by Ian Hughes from the touring cast until Carey returns.
Producer Cameron Mackintosh hoped it would be “third time lucky” with the incoming actor, saying: “To lose one master of the house is unfortunate and two perhaps careless!”
He added that he was “so grateful to Matt Lucas who abandoned his holiday plans to help us out and am looking forward to welcoming back Gerard to the Company at the end of February.
"I wish them both speedy recoveries.”
Lucas originally starred in the sold out concert version of Les Mis over the summer, alongside Michael Ball, Alfie Boe and Carrie Hope Fletcher.
