UPDATE: Director Scott Graham to understudy for John McArdle at tonight and tomorrow's shows

ACTOR John McArdle has been given the all clear by doctors after he was taken ill on stage during Wednesday’s performance of Things I Know To Be True at York Theatre Royal.

The 68-year-old former Brookside and Emmerdale soap star slumped to the floor in an early scene, saying "I'm not well". He was examined at York Hospital that night and is now recuperating at home.

In his absence, Frantic Assembly director Scott Graham read in the part of Bob Price at Thursday's 7.30pm performance and will do so again at all three remaining shows: tonight at 7.30pm and tomorrow at 2.30pm and 7.30pm.

Yesterday's 2pm matinee did not go ahead; ticket holders affected by the cancellation of this show or Wednesday's performance can exchange tickets for another performance of Andrew Bovell's dysfunctional family drama or request a full refund in person from the Theatre Royal box office or on 01904 623568.

Mr McArdle is best known for his soap-opera roles as Billy Corkhill in Channel 4's Brookside from 1985 to 1989 and as Ronnie Hale in Emmerdale from 2016 until August this year. He also played Oliver Mead in Waterloo Road and Dr Daniel Laing in medical drama Out Of Hours.

He last appeared on the Theatre Royal stage in February 2014, playing bandleader Danny in Brassed Off.