Comic 'comfortable' after heart scare

Paul O'Grady is expected to make a full recovery after his suspected heart attack on Friday.

The 51-year-old comedian is expected to leave hospital and return to his home near Ashford, Kent in a few days.

The Lily Savage creator was admitted to hospital on Friday morning after suffering chest pains. He was taken to intestive care and given a minor operation to help with the blood flow

But he was last night said to be in a 'comfortable' condition in Ashford's William Harvey Hospital.

A spokeswoman for Channel Four, which broadcasts his daytime chat show, aid: "We are shocked and concerned by the news.

'Along with Paul's many fans we are wishing him all the very best.'

She said the broadcaster hoped he would have made a full recovery by the time his show was due to return in September.

The comic suffered a heart attack in 2002, and underwent a procedure to widen a blocked artery. He said that the scare forced him to review his lifestyle and give up smoking.

However he started smoking again after the death of his former lover Brendan Murphy in June last year.

Published: 2 Jul 2006