Miranda Hart was "too ill" to return to 'Call the Midwife' last year.

Miranda Hart

Miranda Hart

The 44-year-old actress was meant to reprise her role as the beloved Chummy in the medical drama for the festive special and the current on-going series six but the show was thrown into chaos at the latter end of last year when she pulled out of the programme at the last minute due to a mystery ailment.

Speaking to The Sun newspaper at a stand-up comedy gig on Tuesday (14.02.17) night, she said: "I don't feel myself at the moment because I was ill last year and I wasn't able to exercise."

Miranda's cancellation meant that the show's creator Heidi Thomas had to frantically re-write the episodes based around Chummy - who fled London's East End in series four - weeks before filming.

She announced the news to her fans at the time: "It's with a heavy heart that having shared Chummy's return to CTM, I've not been able to give birth (pun) the schedule to make it work. (sic)"

Miranda also turned down the chance to star in the remake of the classic 'Up Pompeii' for the BBC's Sitcom Season last year due to the illness and, as a result, the revival was scrapped.

A spokesperson for the BBC said at the time: "Earlier in the year a number of scripts were developed and considered for the BBC One revivals as part of Sitcom Season, including 'Up Pompeii!' Unfortunately the desired cast weren't all available to film in time for the season. We wouldn't rule out revisiting it in the future."

She was also tipped to front the remake of 'The Generation Game' - another project she had to put on hold - and pulled out of hosting the 'Royal Variety Performance' in December.

A source said at the time: "Everyone was thrilled when Miranda agreed to host the 'Royal Variety Performance', but sadly it now seems it isn't to be.

"It is a charity event so the hosts don't get paid, but they're always falling over themselves to do it because it's seen as such a huge honour to be asked. It's probably about as high profile as it gets."

Although Miranda has had somewhat of a tough time recently, she is now fit and well.

A spokesperson said: "Miranda has a wealth of upcoming projects."


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