BLUE singer Duncan James’ plans to transition from popstar to soap star hang in the balance after slipping a disc in his spine.

The 38-year-old is currently starring in a touring production of musical Priscilla Queen of the Desert and recently landed a permanent role on Channel 4 soap Hollyoaks.

A source said: “Duncan slipped a disc and damaged a nerve. It was pretty bad. He had a small section of the disc removed to ease pressure­ on the spine.

“He has theatre commitments with Priscilla that are now in jeopardy.”

They added to The Mirror: “And he could have to delay his start date for Hollyoaks if he doesn’t make a speedy recovery.”

A statement from the Priscilla official Facebook page confirmed that Duncan would not be performing for the remainder of the tour's residency in Bristol.

It read: "Yesterday afternoon Duncan James was admitted to the Charing Cross Hospital suffering from a prolapsed herniated disc in his back.

"His admission to hospital was unexpected and a result of ongoing pain issues. Duncan underwent surgery and is now recovering well."

The show moves on to Oxford on June 13, whether Duncan will be a part of that remains to be seen.

Assuring fans on social media, his manager Paul Baylay uploaded a picture showing the ailing hunk in his hospital bed.

He wrote alongside it: "Back on the road to recovery & doing well.

"@MrDuncanJames sends his love & thanks to everyone for the support."

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Duncan was confirmed as joining Cheshire-set Hollyoaks last month as new character Ryan Knight.

At the time he said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the Hollyoaks team!

“I’m looking forward to working with the fantastic on and off screen talent on the show and bringing the character of Ryan to life.”

Policeman Ryan will come to Hollyoaks Village with his girlfriend, returning character Amy Barnes (Ashley Slanina-Davies), and her children Leah (Ela-May Demircan) and Lucas Hay (William Hall).

He will find himself butting heads with Amy’s ex and the father of her children, Ste Hay.

Of his new co-star, Ste actor Kieron Richardson told The Sun: “I’m really excited, I was a massive Blue fan growing up so I think it’s going to be a bit weird on set, like, ‘oh, my god, that’s that guy from Blue’.

“I think he’s going to be a really great addition to the show.

“It’s a cheesy thing to say, but I know that he b-lue them away in the audition.”

The 30-year-old continued: “It’s a great storyline involving [Ste’s] kids quite a lot. I saw them earlier and they were like, ‘we’ve got a new stepdad!’

“I’m like, ‘you better not love him more than me!’”.

Actress Tamara Wall, 36, who plays character Grace Black, has been friends with Duncan for years
having appeared together in the west end production of musical Legally Blonde.

She gushed: “I’m so excited.

“He’s so amazing, so lovely and talented.”

The Sun Online have contacted a representative for Hollyoaks for comment.

Hollyoaks airs week nights on Channel 4, with a first-look on E4 at 7pm.

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