Television heart-throb Ronald Allen has been laid low by illness.  He has had to be written out of four episodes of ITVs long-running soap opera, Crossroads.

 

Ronald, 45, who plays the role of smooth, warm-eyed motel director David Hunter, was taken to Birmingham's Good Hope Hospital last week suffering from a severe bout of flu.

 

He is to be discharged today.  Crossroads producer Jack Barton said yesterday:  "He is much brighter now and raring to get back."

 

Ronald has been 'clocking in' with Crossroads for eight years.  Previously he was the suavely handsome Ian Hart (sic) in the BBC TV serial Compact.

 

The four episodes he has missed will be seen by Crossroads viewers in a month's time - and the plot will have David Hunter down with flu.

 

NB.  The reference to David Hunter suffering from flu can be seen and heard on Crossroads Volume 3 Episode 3140 from April 1979.