Actor flown home

Benidorm star Tim Healy has been airlifted to hospital in Manchester after contracting a mystery illness while filming in Spain.

The 64-year-old had been confined to a clinic in Spain for nearly a month, but over the weekend doctors said that the actor had made enough progress to fly back to the UK.

An ITV spokesman said: 'Tim is feeling much better after his spell in hospital and all the Benidorm cast and crew wish him a healthy recovery in his own time.

'Filming schedules have been adjusted to accommodate Tim's absence on screen. The show is currently mid way through filming the new series which will air 2017.'

Healy, who plays transvestite Lesley in the ITV comedy, found fame in Auf Wiedersehen, Pet in the 1980s, and plays Gastric in Still Open All Hours.

He was married to Loose Women star Denise Welch for 24 years before divorcing in 2012. They have two sons, one of whom, Matt, is lead singer with The 1975.

Published: 16 May 2016