Tim Howar leaves first West End preview of Chess as wife goes into labour

According to eyewitness reports and on social media, the show's director Laurence Connor came on stage at the beginning of the second act to announce that Howar's wife Jodie Oliver-Howar (who celebrated her birthday on Tuesday) had gone into labour that evening, meaning understudy Cellen Chugg Jones had to go on to play the part of Freddie with little rehearsal.

Fellow cast member Michael Ball said that the event was 'proper showbiz drama', with Alexandra Burke applauding Chugg Jones for his performance and coming on at the last minute.

Proper showbiz drama on our first night @chessthemusical . @cellencj a total hero going on for @timhowar at the interval and smashing it. Awesome reaction from the audience to our show. This is going to be funx

Aww @cellencj everyone is super proud of you. Well done for going on and just smashing it! Much love to you @timhowar – we can't wait for Baby Howar to arrive!

@chessthemusical an INSANE night. Amazing Audience. love to my cast and creatives who I wouldn't be anywhere without. Guidance of @LaurenceConnor1 and @johnrigbymusic. But mostly to the most incredible man to understudy @timhowar and the amazing swing that is @C_A_L_L_U_M_ !