Actor Kenny Ireland is battling cancer according to reports today.
The Benidorm star is said to have pulled out of the upcoming series of the hit show as he wants to focus on his recovery.
An insider told The Sun newspaper: “The diagnosis was crushing for Kenny and his family. This is obviously a very difficult time for them and they are coping as best they can.
“The priority is Kenny’s health. As soon as he was given the news he pulled out of the latest series of Benidorm which, of course, everyone understood”.
The 68-year-old is best known for playing Donald Stewart in the ITV series but has also appeared in Doctors, New Tricks, Taggart and Victoria Wood: As Seen on TV.