Actor Brian Bedford withdraws from The Last Confession due to illness

Acclaimed British actor Brian Bedford has had to withdraw from an upcoming Toronto production of The Last Confession due to illness.

Mirvish Productions, which is staging the show in April, says the veteran of Ontario's Stratford Festival "has been advised by his doctors not to continue in the production due to illness."

A statement issued Monday didn't elaborate on the illness but said the 78-year-old "is currently in hospital receiving treatment."

London native Richard O'Callaghan will replace Bedford as Pope John Paul I in the show, which launches a world tour April 19 at Toronto's Royal Alexandra Theatre.

It will then continue to Los Angeles and across Australia.

O'Callaghan created the leading role in the London production of The Last Confession.