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Coronation Street star sparks concern as he pulls out of appearance at fan event due to mystery illness
A CORONATION Street star sparked concern after pulling out of a scheduled fan event appearance due to illness.
He had a 10-year stint on the cobbles – but is perhaps more associated with another beloved show.
Craig Charles had been due to appear at London Film and Comic-Con on Sunday, July 6.
The actor, 60, played Lloyd Mullaney on the cobbles and before that, lead character Dave Lister in BBC sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf.
Fans of Red Dwarf had hoped to see Craig alongside co-stars Danny John-Jules, Robert Llewellyn and Hattie Hayridge.
Taking to Facebook, the event shared: “We contacted Craig at 9am to be be told that due to a family emergency he would not be in until 11am.
“At 11.30am we spent 20 minutes knocking on his hotel room door where there was no answer.
“His Red Dwarf colleagues were able to contact him at 12.30 where he confirmed he was ill and unable to attend. These are the facts.”
They added: “The Group shot will go ahead with Danny, Robert and Hattie and ticket holders will receive an automatic £60 refund to allow for the change of line up.
“If anybody does not want the group shot, any unused tickets will automatically be refunded after the show.”
Later in the day, Craig took to social media and shared an update on the situation.
He wrote on X: “I’d just like to say sorry to showmasters and the fans at comicon.
“I made it to the hotel but woke up at 3 this morning with stomach pains.
“I then proceeded to be violently ill for hours. Not a pretty sight.
“I tried to see if it would wear off but at 10 am I called it off and came back to Manchester.”
Craig added: “I’m feeling slightly better now and I’m drinking lots of water and electrolytes.
“Again sorry for the cancellation and I look forward to next time.”
It followed Red Dwarf co-star Chris Barrie – who played Arnold Rimmer – cancelling a string of public appearances due to a “medical situation”.
Posting on his website, the star shared: “Hello everyone.
“I’m going to be brief, but over the last week I have been dealing with a medical situation which I am only just beginning to get my head around.
“In the light of this I shall be attending no more events over the summer and into the autumn.
Red Dwarf cast members
Sci-fi comedy Red Dwarf first aired on BBC2 in 1988 and ran until 1999, before it moved to UKTV channel Dave ten years later.
Its cast members include:
- Craig Charles as Dave Lister
- Chris Barrie as Arnold Rimmer
- Danny John-Jules as Cat
- Robert Llewellyn as Kryten
- Norman Lovett/Hatty Hayridge as Holly
“Updates on all this will be issued as and when.”
Chris confirmed he would be keeping his November 9 appearance at Newcastle comedy event Scarborough Unleashed in the calendar for the time being.
He explained: “In the meantime I shall leave Scarborough on the itinerary for now and will look forward to returning there in the early winter.
“Obviously I shall miss not being with the posse in London this Sunday but I’m afraid that is the way it is. Enjoy!”
