By Barry Anderson
Comedian Deon Cole has dropped out as the headliner for the Laugh Africa Comedy Festival that took place this past weekend in Johannesburg, South Africa.
According to a statement released by organisers on Wednesday morning, the Black-ish and Average Joe actor has “withdrawn due to an unforeseen medical emergency”.
The Average Joe and black-ish star wrote his own statement to fans on his Instagram, stating:
“Finally, on the road to recovery,” he started. “God is a great God, I praise him and thank him for his love, grace and mercy. I want to thank all the doctors, nurses (sisters) and staff here in South Africa at Christiaan Barnard hospital and my doctor in the states, THANK YOU. I also want to thank my network BET, cast and crew on Average Joe for delaying production and patiently waiting and supporting me. Means the world to me. Sorry to the African Laugh Festival I was scheduled to headline, thanks for your understanding and support (I’ll make it next year). Actually I appreciate everyone’s patience with me, if I cannot respond to messages right now, I Just want to rest and get better to finish up the show but thank u tremendously.”
In the post, Cole posted pictures of himself in a hospital bed with all kinds of lead stickers on his chest and around his stomach. There was also a picture of him attached to some kind of drainage tube.
While he didn’t list the actual cause of his hospitalization, the 53-year-old Cole does face a number of various health risks just being a Black man over 50.