Sutherland to return to filming after op

Kiefer Sutherland will return to ‘24’ next week, after being given the all-clear by doctors.

The Canadian actor is due back on the set of the action drama series – where he portrays government agent Jack Bauer and also works as an executive producer – on March 1 after a ruptured cyst caused him to bring forward a planned surgical procedure.

The 43-year-old star has now recovered from the operation and will return to the counter-terrorism drama show next week.

His spokesman Chris Alexander said: "Kiefer's been cleared to return to work and we resume production March 1."

Cast and crew continued filming without Kiefer until February 12, but decided to suspend the show until he was feeling well again.

Chris recently said: "While Kiefer Sutherland is frustrated to miss even one day of work, he and Fox decided together that it would be best to complete this minor elective procedure now as a precaution as opposed to six weeks from now when production wraps. He looks forward to returning to work next week."

Network Fox are confident Kiefer’s surgery will not cause any disruption to the planned broadcasting schedule.

A spokesperson for the network said: "We are temporarily suspending production of '24' while our friend and colleague Kiefer Sutherland undergoes a medical procedure. We hope to resume production shortly and do not anticipate any disruption in the broadcast of this season's episodes."