Slipped discs sidelined actor Nathan Lane, the second lead to pull out of London's West End rendition of "The Producers" with back problems, the BBC said.

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Lane, 48, who won a Tony for the Broadway version of the Mel Brooks comedy, dropped out of the Theatre Royal production because of two slipped discs, the report said. Ironically, Lane, who was to play Max Bialystock until Jan. 8, replaced Richard Dreyfuss when Dreyfuss pulled out in November due to back troubles.

A spokesman said Lane was expected to be well enough to begin shooting the film version of "The Producers" in February.