Comedian Jim Tavaré will no longer grace the stage of Clacton’s Princes Theatre or Felixstowe’s Spa Pavilion after being involved in a near fatal car crash in his home city of Los Angeles.

East Anglian Daily Times: The current line-up: Stewart Francis, Justin Moorhouse, Jarred Christmas and Mike GunnThe current line-up: Stewart Francis, Justin Moorhouse, Jarred Christmas and Mike Gunn (Image: Archant)

Jim, best known for his appearances on ITV’s The Sketch Show and playing Tom the barman in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, was due to appear in The All-Star Stand-Up Tour at Clacton on May 25 and Felixstowe on June 9.

He will now be replaced by comic Mike Gunn who has appeared on BBC One’s Michael McIntyre’s Comedy Roadshow and supported Lee Mack on tour.

Jim is now on the mend having spent 15 days in intensive care following the crash on March 6.

He is very lucky to be alive after suffering severe injuries in the collision including multiple broken bones and two collapsed lungs.

East Anglian Daily Times: Comic Mike Gunn will be stepping in to fill Jim's bootsComic Mike Gunn will be stepping in to fill Jim's boots (Image: Archant)

He said: “My hand ligaments completely detached from my wrist.

“The surgeons that put it back together sat that I won’t ever be able to play the bass again, but I am determined to prove them wrong.

“I look forward to seeing you all for the 2018 tour.”

Rounding out the tour are TV regular Stewart Francis, Justin Moorhouse from Phoenix Nights and in demand compere Jarred Christmas.

For more information see here.