King of the Jungle Joe Swash, who was forced to bow out of panto in Chatham due to illness, was due back for today's 5.30pm show.

The ex-EastEnders star temporarily pulled out of his role as Buttons in Cinderella after being struck down with flu.

Joe, 26, is thought to have fallen ill just hours before he was due on stage at The Central Theatre on Monday. He also missed three performances on Tuesday (23rd).

The I’m A Celebrity winner was replaced by an understudy.

The cheeky London actor has proved a bit hit with audiences, despite only having a few days to rehearse following his triumphant return from the jungle.

Joe's understudy was the show's director David Janson who stood in for Joe during early rehearsals. Janson starred in Keeping Up Appearances as Michael the Postman.

Producer Emily Wood said: "David knows the part back to front. He has gone down really well, the audience love him.

"Joe got a bug which a lot of the other cast members have suffered from. It can't be helped, especially at this time of year."

The show is due to finish on Sunday, January 4.