Popular stage and TV performer Marcus Collins has been forced to pull out of the Hairspray tour ahead of its visit to Norwich following illness.

But the hit show which has sold out some of the globe's biggest theatres delighting audiences worldwide will go on with an all-star cast headed by Mark Benton when it heads to Norwich Theatre Royal on September 24-29. Mr Collins, who shot to fame on TV's The X Factor, is leaving the musical comedy hit for medical reasons.

He recently suffered from a severe bout of gastroenteritis and doctors have advised him to take some time out from performing to recover.

His understudy on the tour Fela Lufadeju will take on his role of Seaweed Stubbs until further notice on the tour.