Music Review

02 December 2008 19:50 BST

EastEnders actor rushed to hospital

EastEnders actor John Bardon was rushed to hospital on Friday night in a fresh health scare.

The actor, who plays the character Jim Branning on the BBC 1 soap opera, was admitted to the Lister hospital in Chelsea, west London, after fears he had suffered another stroke.

Later reports stated his condition was "comfortable".

Bardon, 68, had only just returned to the soap after spending a year recovering from a stroke back in July 2007.

He had completed the filming on a one-off episode, due to be aired tomorrow, and was said to be looking forward to a permanent return to the show.

Speaking before Bardon's latest health scare, the show's producer Diederick Santer said: "We felt the character of Jim is so well-loved the audience want to see his return."

In the episode to be aired on Monday, Jim is in a nursing home but returns to Albert Square for his birthday.