Sick Winner treated in hospital

Michael Winner was taken ill in Barbados

Veteran film director and food critic Michael Winner is being treated in hospital after falling ill while on holiday in Barbados.

Winner, 71, is being treated at The London Clinic, a private hospital in Harley Street.

A spokesman for the director, famous for his Death Wish trilogy, confirmed he was ill and receiving treatment.

But he refused to comment on newspaper claims that Winner may have to have a leg amputated.

Allergic reaction

The Daily Mirror reported that doctors told Winner he would have to have the limb cut off in a bid to save his life.

Winner was taken to the Bayview Hospital in Barbados by ambulance on 3 January, after suffering an apparent allergic reaction to medication prescribed a few days earlier for a fever.

At the time he told the Daily Mail: "Unfortunately, I had an absolutely dreadful reaction to the antibiotic and I came out in enormous blood blisters on my left leg.

"They covered the entire inside of my leg and each one was five inches long.

"Then they all burst and I was rushed to hospital with the sirens blaring."

In a statement, The London Clinic said: "Mr Winner remains an in-patient at The London Clinic, receiving expert medical and nursing care.

"His condition is under constant review and he is making good progress."

Winner has been seen on television recently in a new series of adverts for an insurance company, which gave rise to his "calm down dear" catchphrase.

Last year Winner turned down an OBE in the Queen's 80th birthday honours' list because he felt it is "what you get if you clean the toilets well at King's Cross station".