Veteran comic Roy Hudd collapsed on the set of Coronation Street yesterday.

The 70-year-old News Huddlines star, who plays undertaker Archie Shuttleworth in the soap, was taken ill during the filming of butcher Fred Elliott’s funeral.

John Savident, 68, who plays Fred, jumped from the coffin to help Hudd as he fell down, clutching his chest.

The comic was taken from Granada TV studios in Manchester to Hope Hospital in Salford where he underwent tests and was discharged after a couple of hours.

A spokesman  for Granada said: ‘We believe he could have suffered from a chest infection and he is going to rest for a good while.’

Hudd has been in showbusiness for 35 years and is also considered an authority on music hall and variety performers.