Mr Vaughan underwent two emergency heart operations on Sunday at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. A hospital spokesman said: "He's still in a critical but stable condition and his wife has been at his bedside."

The Liverpudlian singer has been involved in raising money for many local and national charities.

He has helped to raise more than a quarter-of-a-million pounds for BABC -- Clubs for Young People -- through a celebrity golf day held every year at Hazlemere Golf Club.

Alistair Mckay, general manager of the club, said: "The members and everybody who knew him are just hoping that he will pull through. He is such a nice person and everybody has expressed their sympathy at what has happened."

Peter Boyle, county director of BABC, said members were shocked when they heard the news over the weekend.

He said: "Everyone who knew him at the charity is still in a state of shock. People who met him know what a sincere and kind person he is and our thoughts are with his wife and family."

Margaret Fielding is the day sister at the South Bucks Hospice, Amersham Road, High Wycombe, where Mr Vaughan and his wife, Stella, often visit patients.

She said: "He has always supported our charity and is our patron, so he has been very involved. He has many fans and friends here. When I met him I was very impressed as he would always take the time out to talk to patients."

The 71-year-old has a history of illness. He nearly died of peritonitis in 1996 and underwent surgery for a ruptured artery in 1994.

He starred alongside Marilyn Monroe in the 1960s musical Let's Make Love and will always be known as Mr Moonlight, after one of his hit records.

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