Robin Gibb Wakes from Coma

Bee Gees star Robin Gibb has shown signs of recovery after waking from a coma by responding to his family, his spokesman said.

The 62-year-old singer, who lives in Thame in Oxfordshire, fell into a coma last week after contracting pneumonia in his battle against colon and liver cancer.

His spokesman Doug Wright last night confirmed that Gibb had been able to nod and communicate with his family members, who have surrounded his bedside for almost his entire stay in a central London hospital.

Gibb's relatives have said they have been singing to him while in hospital, with wife Dwina revealing he had cried when she played him the song Crying by Roy Orbison.

Gibb had surgery on his bowel 18 months ago for an unrelated condition, but a tumour was discovered and he was diagnosed with cancer of the colon and, subsequently, of the liver.

It had been thought his cancer was in remission as early as last month, but the latest deterioration in his health coincides with reports of a secondary tumour.

Gibb's twin brother and bandmate Maurice died from the same bowel condition that initially led doctors to operate on Robin.