DAVID TENNANT - TENNANT PULLS OUT OF SECOND HAMLET SHOW AFTER BACK INJURY

TENNANT PULLS OUT OF SECOND HAMLET SHOW AFTER BACK INJURY

An "ongoing back injury" has forced David Tennant to withdraw from a second performance of Hamlet, it has been confirmed.

The Doctor Who star is currently playing the Dane for the Royal Shakespeare Company (RCS) at the Novello Theatre in London.

He withdrew from Monday night's performance and will also miss the Tuesday night show, the RSC confirmed.

Edward Bennett - who plays Laertes in the production - received a standing ovation after filling in as Hamlet on Monday and will continue in the role for Tuesday's press night.

The play's artistic director Gregory Doran said: "David is gutted, not only at the thought of disappointing audiences, but also to be unable to perform a role that he has worked on and developed throughout 60 performances in Stratford-upon-Avon.

"Before this injury, he has only ever been off for one performance in his entire career to date, and is hoping that he will be able to return to the show as quickly as possible."

Doran added: "It is an indication of the RSC's investment in understudies that Ed Bennett can take over from David in one of Shakespeare's largest roles at such short notice."

Tickets to see Tennant as the Shakespearean character sold out in less than three hours when they went on sale in September.

The production, which features Sir Patrick Stewart in the roles of Claudius and the Ghost, recently transferred from the Courtyard Theatre in Stratford-upon-Avon.

Tennant, 37, announced in October that he is to step down as Doctor Who, after the filming of four special episodes next year.

He revealed the news after claiming the outstanding drama performance prize at the National Television Awards (NTAs).