Show must go on for injured Clary

Clary has vowed to carry on. Photo credit Mercury Press

Pantomime star Julian Clary is to perform on stage in a wheelchair after hurting his foot during a performance of Cinderella.

The comedian chipped a bone in his right foot and sprained his left wrist after tumbling on a flight of stairs during a matinee show on Wednesday.

The 46-year-old is playing Dandini at the Liverpool Empire theatre.

A spokeswoman for the theatre said: "Julian's a real trouper and proof that the show always must go on."

Clary hurt himself after tripping as he leapt up a flight of stairs to catch Cinderella - played by Laura Evans from The Basil Brush Show - when the clock turned midnight.

Company manager Anthony Bishop said Clary "went over" on his ankle, before falling backwards, hurting his wrist and back.

Despite the pain he carried on with the performance and was taken to hospital after the show where an X-ray revealed the extent of his injury.

But Clary refused to let the injured foot stop him and returned to the stage that evening initially on crutches, then in a wheelchair.

Mr Bishop said the audience was being very supportive.

"He is still very sore, as you can imagine, but he is performing in a wheelchair.

"The doctors have told him he should be resting, but, in the great tradition of the theatre, Julian said he did not want to let anyone down."