Darren Day Rushed to A&E Before Panto Show

Actors are usually encouraged to break a leg before taking to the stage. 

But Darren Day appeared to defy convention on Friday after confirming he'd been rushed to A&E with a suspected broken arm - just hours before his latest appearance in a touring production of Mother Goose. 

Taking to Instagram, the actor, 57 - who recently became a grandfather - revealed his injured arm while waiting to be seen by a doctor.  

'Currently sitting in A&E with suspected broken bones in my wrist and elbow!' he told followers. 'Just over an hour ‘til I’m onstage!' 

Day plays the villainous Demon Vanity alongside former star  as Princess Jill and Basil Brush as King Basil in an  production of Mother Goose. 

The actor, a stage veteran, was preparing for the second of two shows at Roses Theatre in Tewkesbury when he suffered the accident.   

Commenting on his latest Instagram update, co-star Flanagan wrote: 'Your the best Darren love you loads.' [sic] 

Day and his cast-mates are mid-way through a month-long UK tour with the Anson Benson Productions stage show. Their final show is scheduled for April 19 at Victoria Theatre in Halifax.  

The performer's trip to A&E comes shortly after he and ex-partner Suzanne Shaw confirmed they were grandparents after their son Corey welcomed his first child with girlfriend Erin. 

Taking to Instagram on Tuesday, former Hear'Say singer Shaw, 44, revealed Corey's girlfriend had given birth to baby son Colton. 

While their relationship was turbulent to say the least when they split back in 2005, the former couple have buried the hatchet as they put on a united front while smiling with the newborn.

Day had an illicit fling with Shaw in 2003 while co-starring in the touring theatre production of Summer Holiday, despite both being engaged to other people.

The actor's reputation and career subsequently took a major nose dive after he walked out on the singer and their seven-week old son Corey on Mother's Day in 2005, while battled postnatal depression, reportedly uttering the phrase 'I don't do family.'

Now embarking on a new chapter as grandparents, Day joked about the former couple's age gap as he penned: 'Grandad loves you so much…and is actually old enough to be a Grandparent, unlike Nanny! @suzi_shaw'.

Shaw added: 'Something beautiful, something true, My baby boy Corey, became a father To a precious son, wrapped softly in blue.

'Colton - Nanny loves you to infinity and back, you are perfect. I might not have reading glasses quite yet (like your grandad), but can’t wait to teach you handstands and cartwheels'. 

Even Basil Brush found time to comment on the news, with a post on the toffee-nosed puppet's Instagram page reading: 'Lovely first show done with Mr Darren Day at the Princess Theatre Clacton-on-Sea, next show at 6.30pm tonight. 

'Congratulations to Mr Darren on becoming a Grandfather…..ooh Jelly Babies all round!' 

Day went on to marry Stephanie Dooley, who he eventually divorced in 2019, nine years after she remarkably forgave his philandering with Shaw. 

He is now engaged to his current partner, Sophie Ladds.