Last Tango in Halifax star Sir Derek Jacobi in horrific accident

(Image credit: BBC/Anthony and Cleopatra Series)

Sir Derek Jacobi had to be rushed to hospital by speedboat after plunging down steps at one of the world’s most luxurious island resorts.

The leading Shakespearean actor and co-star of the BBC’s Last Tango in Halifax, with Sarah Lancashire and Anne Reid, was unable to walk after the freak accident at the hotel in the Maldives.

He was left in agony when the quadriceps tendons in both his legs ruptured in the fall. Sir Derek had emergency treatment in the islands’ capital, Male, before being flown home to London for surgery, reports the Daily Mail.

Fans of Sir Derek, 75, have been kept in the dark since the horrifying accident six weeks ago, when he slipped on some stairs on his way to lunch.

But his civil partner, Richard Clifford, has now revealed that the actor spent more than a month in hospital.

He is now attending a rehabilitation unit and can walk with the help of sticks.

Richard, who has been Sir Derek’s partner for 35 years, said: “At first he was unable to bend his knees but now he can  flex them about 30 degrees.

“He will be in rehab for another six weeks. He is frustrated but in good spirits and looking forward to working on the next series of Last Tango.

“The doctors say he will make a full recovery.”

The third series of BBC1’s Last Tango in Halifax is expected to screen end of 2014/beginning of 2015.