The London production of Mike Bartlett's Cock has announced that Golden Globe winner Taron Egerton will not return to the play following a ten day COVID absence. 

Egerton will be replaced by his understudy, Joel Harper-Jackson. Said Director Marianne Elliott in a social media post, "Joel is an absolute hero. He is a brilliant and gifted actor and stepped into the role at extremely short notice. Audiences have been standing and cheering, and so am I."

Cock also stars Olivier winner Jonathan Bailey, Jade Anouka, and Phil Daniels. Said Bailey, "Joel is an immense talent, and we couldn't be luckier to have him on board. I am proud to continue sharing the stage with him."

Egerton's tenure was fraught; in addition to the COVID case, Egerton fainted during the first preview of the play for unspecified reasons.

Cock is the story of a gay man who becomes embroiled in confusion when he falls in love with a woman on his commute through London. The production is set to run through June 4.