Princess Diana's former lover James Hewitt was last night reported to have been fighting for his life after suffering a heart attack and a stroke.
The 59-year-old former Army officer had needed emergency surgery and doctors gave him "a slim chance" of survival, according to reports.
He is now said to be recovering, reported the Daily Mail.
News of his illness comes just weeks after he gave a rare interview denying longstanding rumours he is Prince Harry's real father - a slur repeated again in the new BBC2 drama King Charles III.
Hewitt was said to be undergoing treatment at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, where he is expected to remain for several weeks.