Robin Gibb shows signs of recovery as he battles colorectal cancer

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 fell into a coma last week after contracting pneumonia as he battles colorectal and liver cancer.

His spokesman Doug Wright confirmed on the weekend that Gibb had been able to nod and communicate with family members.

His specialist, Dr Andrew Thillainayagam, said Gibb was still in intensive care in a London hospital and was “exhausted, extremely weak and malnourished”.

He had caught pneumonia as he was weakened from gruelling doses of chemotherapy and two operations, the doctor said.

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 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.

His younger brother Andy, who was not part of the Bee Gees but a successful singer, died in 1988 from heart failure at age 30.

Gibb last performed on stage in February, supporting injured servicemen and women at the Coming Home charity concert at the London Palladium.

He missed the recent  premiere of a classical work on which he collaborated with his son Robin-John, 29 -  the Titanic Requiem.