'Benidorm' Actor Tim Healy To Be Written Out Of Show, Following Illness

‘Benidorm’ actor Tim Healy’s character is to be written out of the show, following his battle with an unknown illness.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Tim had been flown to a hospital in the UK, after taking ill while filming the ITV comedy series on location in Spain.

However, despite an ITV representative assuring fans that Tim was “feeling much better” after being treated by doctors, it has now been confirmed that his character, Les (and his alter-ego, Leslie), will be written out of the show during the upcoming ninth series, which is due to air next year.

A spokesperson confirmed: “Tim won't be appearing in episodes whilst he rests and gets better.”

On Monday, a rep for the show offered a reassuring update to fans, claiming: “Tim is feeling much better after his spell in hospital and all the Benidorm cast and crew wish him a healthy recovery in his own time.

“Filming schedules have been adjusted to accommodate Tim’s absence on screen, the show is currently mid-way through filming the new series which will air 2017.”

When his undisclosed illness was first reported, an insider told The Mirror: “Tim has been in a bad way for a while and had to pull out of filming Benidorm. He was in hospital for three and a half weeks, and at one point he was fighting for his life.

“But he was flown to Man­­chester on Saturday and his condition has improved. He’s still in hospital but is making progress. The doctors are keeping a constant eye on him.”

Tim first joined ‘Benidorm’ as Les (and, indeed, Leslie) in 2010, and has since gone on to become one of the show’s most popular characters.

He was previously best known for his leading role in ‘Auf Wiehdersen, Pet’, but has also appeared in ‘Coronation Street’, and, more recently, ‘Still Open All Hours’.