Noel Fielding reportedly ‘had no choice’ over abruptly pulling out of filming for The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin.
First airing a year ago, the Apple TV+ show starred the comedian as the title character, and although filming on season 2 began in the autumn, the 51-year-old star reportedly failed to return to set after the production’s Christmas break.
There were initially reports the show was cancelled due to ‘the illness of a cast member’.
A spokesperson for Noel told MailOnline: ‘This is a private and confidential matter regarding our client’s health.
‘We are saddened by the decision to cease production but we cannot make any further comment on this matter.’
A source told The Times that the decision to scrap filming was not ‘taken lightly’, insisting that they have ‘exhausted’ every possible solution.
The insider said: ‘Noel has said that he can’t film anymore and so there was no choice but to stop.’
Over 100 members of the cast and crew are said to be considering a class action lawsuit against the makers of the comedy, which appears to have been scrapped mid-production before the second season was finished.
‘Axing a show halfway through production is virtually unheard of — plus there’s a mystery over just what has happened,’ a source told The Sun.
‘It’s left bosses of other shows he is on feeling extremely nervous. Plus he’ll have to contend with any legal action. It will be a difficult few months for him.’
Set in the 18th century, the British comedy is a fictional take on the life of Essex Gang leader Dick Turpin, who commits petty crimes with the hope of becoming the country’s greatest highwayman.
The series was a hit with critics and viewers alike, with many praising its ‘brilliant one liners’ and making comparisons to Monty Python.
A few months after the show premiered, it was renewed for a second season by Apple, however those plans have reportedly now gone awry.
This week the cast and crew were told the show had now been cancelled due to ‘the illness of a cast member’.
‘They were understandably bewildered and infuriated by the bombshell because the shoe show required millions of pounds, months of planning and hours of work,’ a source told The Sun.
‘It now effectively means that they are all out of work and looking for new jobs, but they still haven’t had a full explanation.’
They continued: ‘In most circumstances execs will at least consider pausing filming, but for some reason they decided to throw in the towel before the situation got any worse.’
The publication also claimed Noel had ‘left the country and is now believed to be somewhere in France’.
The series also starred Hugh Bonneville, Tamsin Greig and Joe Wilkinson.
The actor and comedian, who rose to fame as part of the comedy troupe The Mighty Boosh, is also due to start filming the next season of The Great British Bake Off for Channel 4 this spring.
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He hosts the programme alongside This Morning presenter Alison Hammond.
Noel is also due to film another season of Sky Max’s Never Mind the Buzzcocks later this year.
Metro has contacted Apple TV Plus and representatives for Noel Fielding for comment.
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The Completely Made-Up Adventures of Dick Turpin is streaming on Apple TV Plus.
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