Helen George has become quite a well-loved fixture on television thanks to her starring role in Call the Midwife. However, some fans were left disappointed after the actress - who has taken on the role of Anna Leonowens in the musical The King & I in theatres across the UK - pulled out of the Cliffs Pavilion performance last week.
According to one guest, the Birmingham-born star was absent after reportedly sustaining an injury. HELLO! has reached out to a representative for comment.
Helen, 38, was due to perform on Friday and Saturday, but had "injured" herself during Thursday's night show. "Helen George hurt herself during a performance of The King and I at the Cliffs Pavilion at Southend last night, and was replaced after the interval by her stand-in," a guest tweeted.
Another shared their frustration, writing: "@thekingandiuk hugely disappointing show tonight at the Cliffs Pavilion Southend, a packed audience of more than 1600 people and the lead Helen George fails to show up! No warning and no apology despite heavily advertising her lead!"
A third post read: "Went to see The King and I at @SouthendTheatre last night. Disappointed that Helen George aka Trixie was injured but the show was great and the stand in @mazcoyne was so good that I doubt Helen could have done better."
The mum-of-two was replaced by her understudy Maria Coyne, who received lots of praise from fans. One person wrote: "Fabulous performance from all the cast in @thekingandiuk Maria Coyne."
Another said: "Saw you last night! You were brilliant!" One other post read: "Superb performance! You were amazing at Southend last night! What a great show."
Meanwhile, Helen has been receiving rave reviews on tour, which continues until November this year. Earlier this month, it was announced that the smash-hit musical sensation The King & I is set to return next year following its current sold-out UK tour.
Of the announcement, Helen said: "I am so delighted to continue to play the formidable Anna Leonowens in this incredible production of The King and I. "I have really enjoyed playing such an incredibly strong character whilst on tour, but to play her on the West End stage is an honour."
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