LIVERPOOL’S Royal Court Theatre found itself in the middle of a real-life drama when the star of its latest production fell ill half-way through a sell-out run.

Rachel Rae, who plays the part of Donna Marie in the show Little Scouse On The Prairie, went down with an ear infection over the New Year.

This left producers with the dilemma of who should fill in the role while she was away.

Fortunately, help was at hand in the form of Jamie Hampson – star of the recent production of You’ll Never Walk Alone – who was working front-of-house as an usher. Having only picked up a script at midday she was on stage at 8pm performing to a packed house.

Jamie said: “I was really surprised to get the call but I couldn’t turn it down. The show is so much fun to watch but it is even more fun to be up there on stage.

“Rachel is a good mate of mine so I hope that she gets better soon but in the meantime I’m made up to be filling in for her.

“Everyone in the cast has been so good, helping me out whenever I need it and helping me to rehearse.”