Benidorm star Tim Healy airlifted to hospital after mystery illness left him 'fighting for his life'

Benidorm star Tim Healy has been airlifted to a UK hospital following a mystery illness.

The 64-year-old actor fell ill while filming the hit ITV show in Spain last month.

Over the weekend, his condition had stabilised enough that he could be flown to a hospital in Manchester and he is now recovering.

A spokesman for ITV said: "Tim is feeling much better after his spell in hospital and all the Benidorm cast and crew wish him a healthy recovery in his own time.

"Filming schedules have been adjusted to accommodate Tim's absence on screen, the show is currently mid way through filming the new series which will air 2017."

Healy, who comes from Newcastle upon Tyne, has played the cross-dressing character of Les/Lesley in Benidorm since 2010.

He found fame in 1980s' Geordie comedy Auf Wiedersehen, Pet, and more recently has appeared as Gastric in Still Open All Hours, opposite Sir David Jason.

He and Welch were married for 24 years before divorcing in 2012.

They have two sons, one of whom, Matt Healy is the singer with rock band The 1975.