Confusion over Micheal Barrymore's throat

EDINBURGH, Scotland, Dec. 30 (UPI) -- Actor Michael Barrymore was staging a comeback in Scotland by starring in the stage musical "Scrooge," but the show's run was cut short.

The Scotsman reported Saturday that the former "Strike It Lucky" host was just getting his career back on track when Edinburgh's Festival Theatre mysteriously canceled the whole second week of the show, claiming that Barrymore was suffering from an unspecified throat problem.

The show was scheduled to open the week of Jan. 29 with Barrymore still on deck in the part of the proverbial Dickensian holiday sourpuss.

The Scotsman said, "It is not known why he is able to return from illness for a week of shows in Edinburgh before signing off sick again."

A spokeswoman for the Festival Theatre told the Scotsman, "Mr. Barrymore will be appearing during the first week of shows, but the second week has now been canceled due to an ongoing throat problem and after he (Barrymore) took advice from doctors."

Letters were sent out to people holding tickets for the canceled week telling them they may exchange them for the tickets for the first week.