Tears of clown Roy after quitting role

VETERAN comic Roy Hudd admits he’s devastated and facing unemployment for virtually the first time in his life after having to pull out of a major stage role for the second time in a year.

Comedian, broadcaster and actor Roy, 81, states with self-lacerating honesty that he was simply not good enough to do justice to an unnamed Shakespearean part so had to leave after rehearsals didn’t work out. “This month is turning out to be a dodgy month for yours truly,” the Broadchurch star says in his Yours Magazine column.

“Worst part? Not being able to play the role I’d hoped to have in one of Bill Shakespeare’s masterpieces. It’s a bit beyond this ageing clown. It was heartbreaking for me not to be able to work with the terrific director, who did everything to coax yours truly along the right path or share a platform with and learn from some of the most admired [actors] I’ve ever met.

“That was a real low for me. For one of the few times in my life I’m sitting here out of work for most of the autumn. Yes, I know I’ve been luckier than most purveyors of comical capers and silly songs but it still feels horrible. Ask anyone in my game.”

In April, as Day & Night revealed, Roy pulled out of the lead role in a new stage version of the sitcom Waiting For God at just a week’s notice because he was suffering from stress, anxiety and panic attacks. His part was taken over by Hi-De-Hi star Jeffrey Holland.