Bee Gees star critically ill

Maurice Gibb is the Bee Gees' bass player

Bee Gees star Maurice Gibb remains critically ill in a Miami hospital after suffering a heart attack.

Doctors operated on the 53-year-old singer and bassist to remove an intestinal blockage after he collapsed at home, but he suffered a heart attack during surgery.

Obviously, it's been very bad but every hour is a bonus

Robin Gibb

However, hospital staff say he is now showing some signs of improvement.

Gibb, together with twin brother Robin and older brother Barry, was one of the biggest pop stars of the 1970s as part of the Bee Gees.

He is understood to have started complaining of stomach pains on Thursday morning.

His wife, Yvonne, and his two children are thought to be at his side as he recovers from the operation, which took place on Thursday night.

Fans gathering

And his brother Robin, speaking on Channel 4's Richard and Judy programme, said: "The last 24 hours have been crucial.

"The latest update is that all his vital organs are A1 and he's recovering.

The Bee Gees have an enduring appeal

"Obviously, it's been very bad but every hour is a bonus."

Later, a hospital spokesman confirmed that Gibb had opened his eyes for a brief time and had held and squeezed his daughter's hand as she sat at his bedside.

Fans have gathered outside the hospital to await news of his condition.

Maurice Gibb - who has suffered alcohol problems in the past - married pop star Lulu in 1969 after they met in the BBC canteen as they were preparing to perform on music show Top of the Pops.

They married to a chorus of 3,000 screaming fans waiting outside the church, but they divorced four years later.

Brother died

A spokesman for Lulu said the singer was in Los Angeles and had been told about developments.

Gibb has been married to Yvonne for more than 25 years, and he credits her with his successful battle against alcoholism.

His younger brother Andy died of a heart attack in 1988 at the age of 30, following drink and drug problems.

Lulu was married to Maurice Gibb for four years

The Bee Gees performed as a group from an early age, impressing audiences in Manchester before the family emigrated to Australia.

Radio and television appearances brought them popularity and an Australian number one with 1966's Spick and Speck.

A year later the family returned to the UK and began their assault on the pop charts with songs such as Massachusetts, Words and I've Got to Get a Message to You.

The Bee Gees went on to score hits in the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s.

One of their biggest periods was during the disco craze of the 1970s, largely thanks to their contribution to the movie Saturday Night Fever which starred John Travolta.

Hits

The soundtrack featured six songs from the Bee Gees, including the title track, Stayin' Alive, and Jive Talkin'.

The Bee Gees enjoyed their heyday in the 70s

Their music has continued to attract new audiences as contemporary artists cover their hits.

Singers and groups to use their work include Boyzone, Steps, Take That and Westlife.

The trio were honoured with CBEs on the New Year Honours diplomatic list for their services to music.

In 1997 they were given a lifetime achievement Brit Award.