Best keeping himself alive, says doctor

George Best cannot continue to survive "day after day after day" without showing signs of improvement, his doctor said yesterday. Professor Roger Williams said that Best was still a "desperately ill man" but was tough and was keeping himself alive.

Best, 59, has been in intensive care since being struck down by a lung infection. Professor Williams said that doctors had now stopped sedation and were waiting to see if Best regained consciousness.

Speaking outside the Cromwell Hospital in west London, Professor Williams said: "I've just seen Mr Best and he's still hanging in there. He's still responsive. He's still on the ventilator. Some of the blood tests are a bit better, which gives us some encouragement."

Professor Williams said that Best had not deteriorated overnight, but he added: "We are hoping to see improvement. There's not much improvement but his condition is stable.

"One does want to see him really begin to make headway. He has certainly shown a response in terms of the infection but he's a desperately ill man. He can't survive day after day after day without improvement."