‘Sorry to let everyone down:’ Ex-Corrie star Craig Charles, 57, reveals he has Covid and his ‘breathing is laboured’ ahead of starting new BBC radio job
Ex-Coronation Street star Craig Charles has revealed he has caught Covid and his ‘breathing is laboured’ due to the illness.
The TV star turned DJ, 57, – who played Lloyd Mullaney on the ITV soap – told how he was ‘sorry to let everyone down’ ahead of starting his new job at BBC Radio 6 Music.
He also said he ‘didn’t want to alarm anyone’ with his news and that he was isolating, before adding that he was ‘starting to feel a bit better’.
Oh dear: Ex-Coronation Street star Craig Charles has revealed he has caught Covid and his ‘breathing is laboured’ due to the illness
His post on Twitter on Saturday read: ‘Okay guys I don’t want to alarm, but I’ve caught the Covid.
‘Breathing is a bit laboured which is a worry, but I’ve got an oxymonitor so so far no hospital.
‘Starting to feel a bit better but have to isolate, Sorry to let everyone down. Back soon.’
Bad timing: The TV star turned DJ, 57, – who played Lloyd Mullaney on the ITV soap – told how he was ‘sorry to let everyone down’ ahead of starting his new job at BBC Radio 6 Music
Hundreds of fans then responded by sending the star supportive messages.
One fan wrote: ‘Get well soon Craig, my wife and I both have it this week too, trying to rest up, hope you are too.’
While another follower tweeted: ‘Very sorry to hear that Craig. I hope you recover soon.’
Announcement: His post on Twitter on Saturday read: ‘Okay guys I don’t want to alarm, but I’ve caught the Covid’
Another said: ‘I hope you have a speedy recovery, plenty of good vibes coming your way.’
Craig, best known as Lloyd in Corrie and Dave Lister in Red Dwarf, announced the news that he would be presenting a brand new show The Craig Charles Funk and Soul Show on 6 Music back in July.
He said in a statement at the time: ‘I’m made up to be able to present a brand new show on 6 Music later this year,’
Kind: Hundreds of fans then responded by sending the star supportive messages
‘So, join me each weekday afternoon for a cup of tea, a chat and where I’ll be playing some cracking tunes from across the musical spectrum. I can’t wait to get started – bring it on!’
Craig is taking over Shaun Keaveny, who tweeted approval of his replacement.
He wrote: ‘My funk soul brother, you’re one of my favourite people in broadcasting. You know this. We used to joke whenever you stood in for me on Breakfast it was in fact I who was standing in for you til you could dep again, so popular you were! You’re going to be so good. OPEN THE TRUNK!’
Actor: In 2005, Craig joined the Coronation Street cast as taxi driver Lloyd and was given free rein to introduce various aspects of the character’s personality
In 2005, Craig joined the Coronation Street cast as taxi driver Lloyd and was given free rein to introduce various aspects of the character’s personality.
He quit his role on the soap in May 2015 in order to concentrate on filming the new series of Red Dwarf.
He has since taken up DJ-ing and has performed at various events and festivals over the summer.
Busy: He has since taken up DJ-ing and has performed at various events and festivals over the summer (pictured at Lovebox)