Christian Slater may have to pull out of the Edinburgh Fringe production of One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest after contracting chicken pox.

The Hollywood star was due to make his British stage debut at the festival on Friday.

But the 34-year-old actor has been taken ill after catching chicken pox from a comedian Felix Dexter, a fellow cast member.

However producer Nica Burns, who also runs the Perrier comedy awards, said she hoped Slater would be ready for the opening.

She said: "Felix Dexter was struck down with chicken pox in the second week of rehearsal and we had hoped that the rest of the cast had escaped it.

"But yesterday Christian was taken ill and it is confirmed that he has it.

"Despite this, Christian and company are in fantastic spirits. While Christian is recovering the cast continue to rehearse and will be arriving in Edinburgh next week."

This is the second problem to hit the production, which features a cast of comedians. Director Guy Masterson pulled out last week, saying the stress was too much, and has been replaced by Terry Johnson.