Hospitalised by hepatits

Are You Being Served? star John Inman has been taken to hospital after contracting hepatitis A.

The disease, which he contracted after eating contaminated food, forced him to cancel his opening night appearance in pantomime tonight.

His manager Phil Dale said: “John has contracted hepatitis A through something he has eaten and it has made him very weak,” said his manager Phil Dale.

“He is being nursed back to health and hopes to be out of hospital on Saturday. He will need some time to recuperate but we hope to have him back in panto by December 20 at the latest.”

Inman, 68, was  due to play Wanda the Cook in a production of Dick Whittington at the Richmond Theatre, south west London.

He has also reportedly been suffering stress for the past three week, since his  London home was damaged by a fire.

Hepatitis A – less serious than the B and C strains – is a liver inflammation whose symptoms include fever, loss of energy and jaundice. The only treatment is rest.

Published: 9 Dec 2004