EastEnders star Todd Carty has been rushed to hospital after being struck down with pneumonia.
The 39-year-old, who recently began work on The Bill, was taken to Whittington Hospital in London after developing a fever and chest pains on Wednesday. After doctors in the accident and emergency department ran a series of tests, he was transferred to the Nightingale ward which specialised in respiratory ailments.
"It took everyone by surprise," said a spokesperson for the series. "He's standing down from filming for a couple of weeks. He has already been filming and the first shows in which he stars will be broadcast at the beginning of June."
Fans were disappointed when Todd's EastEnders character Mark Fowler was axed from the show after 12 years last February. But the actor promptly bounced back by moving from Albert Square market to Sunhill Station. And his new role as a crooked police officer is in stark contrast to Mark's nice-guy character.
It is expected he will return to work within a few weeks and producers are now changing storylines to accommodate his absence.
Photo: © Alphapress.com
