Actor and comedian Matt Lucas has been forced to pull out of a performance of Les Misérables in Australia due to health concerns.
The 51-year-old, who is playing the role of Monsieur Thénardier in the production, had to leave the stage mid-performance on Wednesday night when his voice began to fail him.
Lucas, known for his work on Little Britain and as a former host of Great British Bake Off, experienced the issue during his performance in Sydney on May 15.
As he was singing Master of the House, a key number for his character, he felt his voice beginning to fail him, making it impossible to continue in the role.
Fellow actor Connor James stepped in to take over the role for the second act, resulting in a noticeably different Thénardier for the audience.
Following the incident, Lucas took to Instagram to explain his sudden departure to concerned fans, posting a heartfelt message on his @realmattlucas account alongside a photo.
In his Instagram post, Lucas wrote: “I’ve been having a magical time in Les Misérables in arenas across Sydney and Melbourne.
“In over 30 years, I’ve never had to bow out of a performance, but tonight, as I was singing Master Of The House, I could feel my voice deserting me.”
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He continued: “So if Thénardier looked very different in act two, that was because the amazing Connor James took over. I am now in bed resting up, and I hope to be back on stage soon.”
While Lucas did not specify the exact nature of his health issue, it clearly affected his vocal performance, forcing this unprecedented break from the stage.
Lucas is currently performing in the 2025 international arena tour of Les Misérables: The Arena Spectacular, which is celebrating the 40th anniversary of the original London production.
The Australian leg of the tour began in Sydney last month and continues in Melbourne through May 25, before moving to Brisbane for five shows in what is described as a limited five-week engagement.
Fans have flooded Lucas’s social media with messages of support and concern.
One well-wisher wrote: “Aww, take care of yourself, Matt. Rest yourself and come back strong again!”
Another urged: “Oh no! We are only human. Take care of your voice.” Teen actor Iain Armitage, star of Young Sheldon, simply commented: “Feel better!”
“Sending love Matt,” another shared, while someone else posted: “I hope you feel better soon, my dear.”
“Aw take care of yourself matt rest yourself and come back strong again!” another added.
Another Instagram user wrote: “Matt that’s rotten for you!! Take care and rest!”
Lucas’ former Great British Bake-Off co-star, Noel Fielding, also commented, writing: “get well soon lovely.”
It’s not the first time Lucas has taken on the role of Thénardier. He first played the unscrupulous character in 2010 during the show’s 25th anniversary concert at The O2 Arena in London.
He returned to the role in the West End in 2011, and again in 2019, 2020, and this year, making his current absence from the stage particularly unusual.