Freddie Fox to share role of Romeo with Richard Madden in Romeo and Juliet

Freddie Fox will join the cast of Kenneth Branagh's Romeo and Juliet to play Romeo, after Richard Madden injured his ankle.

Fox will share the titular role with Madden, while the actor's ankle is allowed time to heal.

Doctors have prescribed rest between performances for Madden, who was injured while running and has received physiotherapy since. Tom Hanson, who plays Paris in the production, has been playing Romeo since the injury, but has also hurt his leg and is unable to perform.

Fox will join the company from Tuesday 26 July following a period of rehearsals with Lily James and the rest of the cast.

Fox recently starred as Romeo at Crucible Theatre in Sheffield recently and starred in A Midsummer Night's Dream at Southwark Playhouse earlier this year.

Branagh said: "Who would have predicted that both Richard and Tom would sustain such unexpected injuries during the same run of this play? Our job is to help make sure that they both make the best recovery possible, whilst working as hard as we can to provide a great show for audiences, which is why I could not be more thrilled to welcome Freddie Fox into the company."

Madden said: "It has been hugely frustrating and sad that I have not been able to perform in the show, but my ankle is getting better. I wanted to say a big thank you to Tom for covering me so brilliantly and I hope that he too recovers from his injury soon. I also wanted to say a massive thanks to Freddie for stepping in to help, I know that he is going to be fantastic."

Romeo and Juliet runs at the Garrick Theatre until 13 August.