Triple bypass next week

Freddie Starr is preparing for a triple heart bypass next week after suffering a major heart attack.

The 67-year-old was taken to hospital on Tuesday after falling ill while preparing for a stand-up tour, and said it was ‘down to stress.’

Doctors attempted to fit tubes in his arteries to increase the flow of blood, but the procedure failed.

Starr, who has been working the comedy circuit since 1958, has cancelled a string of dates.

His publicist said: ‘He's certainly not very well and he'll need at least six months to recover.’

Published: 9 Apr 2010