LONDON, Oct. 12 (UPI) -- Con O'Neill has replaced Matt Lucas in the West End production of "Prick Up Your Ears," the show's producers announced.
Lucas, who is best known for his work on TV's "Little Britain," temporarily dropped out of the play last week after learning his former civil partner Kevin McGee had been found hanged to death in an apparent suicide.
The show's representatives told the BBC Lucas has since decided not to return to the production and O'Neill is taking over the role of Kenneth Halliwell as of Oct. 22. O'Neill is best known for his work in the stage and film versions of "Telstar."
"Given the sad news that Matt Lucas has recently received, it is understandable that he could not return to play Halliwell at this time and our thoughts are with him," the play's producers said in a statement issued to the BBC. "We are thrilled that Con O'Neill, an actor of such significance, is available to take on the role of Kenneth Halliwell at such short notice."
Lucas' understudy Michael Chadwick is to play Halliwell -- a character who takes his own life after killing his playwright lover, Joe Orton -- until O'Neill joins the show.
