Robbie Williams is reportedly holding a bedside vigil for his mother as she recovers from a major heart operation.

The singer is said to have flown back to his native Britain from his home in Los Angeles to be with his mother Jan, 67, before she underwent heart bypass surgery at a private hospital in Cheshire, England on Sunday (21Dec08).

Jan is believed to be in "critical but stable" condition in an intensive care ward following the procedure.

And the former Take That star is praying for his mother's quick recovery as he prepares to spend Christmas Day in the hospital with her.

A source tells Britain's The Sun newspaper, "Like any patient who has undergone major heart surgery, Jan's not out of the woods yet. She is in a critical but stable condition, but that's normal for such a complex procedure.

"Jan was put in intensive care immediately after the operation, where she'll be monitored extremely closely. She will almost certainly spend Christmas Day in hospital, but if all goes well she might be discharged by New Year. Robbie is desperate to make sure everything goes exactly to plan."

(by Scott Colothan)