PANIC AT PANTO: Loose Women’s Linda Robson Forced to Pull Out Last Minute After Health Scare

Linda Robson has concerned fans after pulling out of her panto performance at the last minute following a health scare.

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The Loose Women star, 67, was supposed to be treading the boards in Dartford – playing Councillor Chigwell – in a festive production of Aladdin on Saturday. However, she was forced to withdraw from the show after reportedly feeling ill before the performance.

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Linda was due to continue in the role over Christmas until next month. However, the Orchard West Theatre has now confirmed that the mum-of-three will not take to the stage again – and will be replaced by Blue’s Antony Costa. A statement read: “Casting update for Aladdin. Unfortunately, due to illness, Linda Robson will no longer be performing in Aladdin. We are sorry for any disappointment caused, but know our audiences will join us in wishing Linda well.“

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It continued: “However, we are delighted to announce that Antony Costa, star of platinum-award-winning boyband Blue, will be joining the cast for most of the remaining performances, with West End favourite Hollie Cassar joining for selected dates.

“Please visit our website for the dates when each performer will be taking the stage. We thank audiences for their understanding and can’t wait to welcome you to our fantastic family pantomime.”

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It comes after the Tracey Stubbs star issued an update on her health this month after admitting she’d had an “up and down year”. Talking to Bella magazine Linda revealed that she was “doing alright”, following a “health scare”.

On Tuesday’s Loose Women, the actress concerned viewers when she revealed doctors were “keeping an eye” on her after gallstones damaged her pancreas.

Discussing how illnesses can affect loved ones with her fellow hosts, she revealed: “Well I’ve had a bit of a health scare myself. So, quite a few years ago I had gallstones and they damaged my pancreas, and they’ve been keeping an eye on me for a while now.”

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The actress went on to say she was undergoing numerous MRI and other scans at the time as medics investigated a cyst. She added: “Because I had a cyst on my pancreas and it’s gone from 1cm to 2cm, so the kids have obviously been really worried about me.”

The star has also been dealing with the sad news about her friend and former co-star, Pauline Quirke, who has been diagnosed with dementia. Linda said she was looking forward to going on holiday in January after an “up and down year”, once she finished panto, sharing: “At the moment, I’m just thinking about going on holiday as soon as the panto finishes.

“It’s been an up and down sort of year. I had a little health scare but I’m alright now. So I want to do my panto, and then a week or so after I’ll go away with my two sisters to Cyprus.”