Singer Russell Watson is "recovering well" from emergency surgery on a brain tumour and is in a stable condition, a hospital official has said.
"He is talking for brief periods and has been eating small amounts of food," added Michael Stroud of the private Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle.
But medical staff had warned the star, who is 40, that the recovery process "may be a long haul", Mr Stroud said.
Watson fell ill during a recording session on Wednesday.
He had become suddenly incapacitated and had a number of symptoms, including a "dramatic deterioration of vision".
An MRI scan revealed a re-growth of a previous benign tumour, which was removed a year ago, accompanied by bleeding.
"It is impossible to say how long it will be before he's back on his feet and back performing"
"Family members are with him," Mr Stroud said. "It is only 36 hours since his life was in danger so it is important for him and those around him to take things slowly."
The tenor has two daughters, aged seven and 12, and Watson's manager, Richard Thompson, said a visit by the children to their father had been "the highlight of his day".
"We never thought we would be back here [after] a year in similar circumstances," added Mr Thompson, referring to the operation of September 2006.
"This is a very different procedure and the nature of what's happened here is very different to what happened a year ago.
"It is impossible to say how long it will be before he's back on his feet and back performing."
All of Watson's engagements have been put off until further notice.
The singer was due to perform before the American football match between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants at Wembley Stadium in London on Sunday.
Next week he was set to fly to Los Angeles to appear at a Bafta ceremony honouring British artists in the US.
Watson, who used to be a factory worker before he turned to singing, has sold more than four million albums worldwide.
His latest album, Outside In, is due for release on 26 November.
Medical concerns
Meanwhile a support group for UK patients who have suffered from the same condition as Watson said it had received "a number of enquiries" from people concerned that their tumours might return, just as Watson's had.
"There is no reason for patients who have previously been treated for a pituitary tumour to be alarmed," said Professor Paul Stewart, speaking for the Pituitary Foundation and the Society of Endocrinology.
"In these cases, you can occasionally get bleeding from the tumour into the brain, usually in stressful situations," he added. "Doctors are able to treat this condition successfully as long as patients are treated quickly.
"If they feel unwell or start to suffer from symptoms such as blurred vision, I would advise them to seek medical help immediately."
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