Opera saved by a star in the wings

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Paul Whelan, 38, rescued the production of Donizetti's Lucia di Lammermoor at the English National Opera, when bass Clive Bayley suffered a chest infection.

Mr Whelan, a bass baritone with the ENO, sang in the wings while Bayley stayed on stage miming the words. Mr Whelan, who is appearing in the ENO's Madam Butterfly, started the evening with friends in the auditorium.

Bayley battled through the first scene but was barely able to speak by the end. A stage manager found Mr Whelan, who made it to the stage but did not have time to change into costume.

Mr Whelan received the biggest cheer when he took his bow in front of the rest of the cast.

He told the Daily Telegraph: "It was an extraordinary experience and we had an extraordinary reaction. I'm just so glad I was wearing my Armani tie."

He is due to sing the role for two nights next month, but has had little time to rehearse.