Brian Cox was seen for the first time since announcing he tested positive for coronavirus, as he stepped out in Primrose Hill on Friday. 

The Succession star, 77, cut a low-key figure as he walked through the affluent suburb while recovering from the virus. Government restrictions no longer require coronavirus-sufferers to isolate.  

On Thursday, he announced that he was pulling out of the March and Rally for an Independent Scotland in the EU event in Edinburgh on Saturday, where he was due to give a speech in his native country. 

He emerged just hours after it was revealed he will miss the gathering, which is being organised by Believe in Scotland and Yes for EU, while he recovers from the respiratory illness. 

The Dundee-born actor told The National: ‘I am absolutely gutted to have to miss the Believe in Scotland rally which seems to be building into a pivotal moment for the independence movement…

Out and about: Brian Cox was seen for the first time since announcing he tested positive for coronavirus, as he stepped out in Primrose Hill on Friday

Out and about: Brian Cox was seen for the first time since announcing he tested positive for coronavirus, as he stepped out in Primrose Hill on Friday

Cancelled: He has been forced to pull out of a forthcoming Scottish independence rally after testing positive for COVID-19

Cancelled: He has been forced to pull out of a forthcoming Scottish independence rally after testing positive for COVID-19

On the up: The Succession star, 77, cut a low-key figure as he walked through the affluent suburb while recovering from the virus

On the up: The Succession star, 77, cut a low-key figure as he walked through the affluent suburb while recovering from the virus

‘I was looking forward tremendously to joining the grassroots independence organisers and supporters and an inspiring list of speakers on Saturday for this positive celebration of the independence movement. 

‘I would very much like to attend the Believe in Scotland March and Rally planned for early next year so I will work with the organisers to fit that into my schedule.’ 

Instead, Brian will film an Independence video once he has recovered from the symptoms of coronavirus, which has seen a surge in cases across the UK and sparked growing concern over the spread of mutated COVID variant Perola. 

Believe in Scotland founder Gordon MacIntyre-Kemp added: ‘Everyone at Believe in Scotland and Yes for EU wishes Brian a speedy recovery.

‘We will miss both the star quality and honest integrity that Brian provides whenever he speaks on Scotland’s undoubted potential as an independent nation.

‘Brian has also offered to record a video for our supporters when he is fully recovered, so we will hear from him soon.’ 

The Scottish actor is also among a number of celebrities who will be attending and speaking at this year’s Cheltenham Literature Festival.

The Gloucestershire-based festival gives a voice to contemporary authors in fiction – and the programme is a mixture of ticketed events, free family activities and fringe events.

Comfort: On Thursday, he announced that he was pulling out of the March and Rally for an Independent Scotland in the EU event in Edinburgh on Saturday, where he was due to give a speech in his native country

Comfort: On Thursday, he announced that he was pulling out of the March and Rally for an Independent Scotland in the EU event in Edinburgh on Saturday, where he was due to give a speech in his native country

Disappointment: The Succession star was expected to speak at the March and Rally for an Independent Scotland in the EU event when it takes place in Edinburgh on Saturday

Disappointment: The Succession star was expected to speak at the March and Rally for an Independent Scotland in the EU event when it takes place in Edinburgh on Saturday

Absent: Cox will now miss the gathering, which is being organised by Believe in Scotland and Yes for EU, while he recovers from the respiratory illness

Absent: Cox will now miss the gathering, which is being organised by Believe in Scotland and Yes for EU, while he recovers from the respiratory illness

At the festival, Cox – who is known for playing Logan Roy in Succession – will be discussing his memoir Putting The Rabbit In The Hat, which traces his journey to fame and takes a look at his childhood experiences in the city of Dundee. 

The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, hosted by Cheltenham Festivals, will take place from October 6-15. 

Now Succession is over, Cox will return to the London stage next year as another monstrous father, in Eugene O’Neill’s Long Day’s Journey Into Night. 

He will also front Amazon’s James Bond-based gameshow, 007’s Road To A Million.

More recently, Cox has been lending his support to the strike by members of Hollywood’s Screen Actors Guild over pay and the threat to their livelihoods posed by artificial intelligence.

Speaking at a rally in London, he invoked Roy’s foul-mouthed fury to argue for ‘legislation that says ”AI f*** off”’.

Getting involved: Cox has been lending his support to the strike by members of Hollywood's Screen Actors Guild over pay and the threat to their livelihoods posed by artificial intelligence

Getting involved: Cox has been lending his support to the strike by members of Hollywood’s Screen Actors Guild over pay and the threat to their livelihoods posed by artificial intelligence

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