Bonnie Tyler remained seriously ill but stable in a hospital in Faro on Friday after emergency intestinal surgery last week, and doctors said they were still positive she will make a full recovery. The 74-year-old singer was taken to hospital on Wednesday and placed in an induced coma after the operation.

A spokesman said this morning that she was still in hospital in Faro, but that her condition was stable. He added that another statement would be issued if there was further news on her condition.

Tyler’s Facebook page thanked people for the “incredible outpouring of love and well wishes” received over the last few days, a response that reflected how quickly the news of her hospitalisation spread among fans. Ed Poole said he and the rest of the band were “hoping and praying that she pulls through,” while Katrina Leskanich wrote, “Dearest Bonnie. Make a speedy recovery and come back rocking! We love you.” Gloria Gaynor also posted: “Wishing you a swift recovery, Bonnie!”

The concern carries extra weight because Tyler has been a fixture in popular music for decades. Best known for Total Eclipse of the Heart, released in 1983 and a No. 1 hit in both the US and UK, she also scored her debut single Lost in France in 1976. Earlier this year, Total Eclipse of the Heart surpassed 1 billion streams on Spotify. Tyler represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013 and finished 19th out of 26 acts, and she was made an MBE for services to music in 2023.

Tyler grew up in Neath, and the messages pouring in from around the world show how broad her following remains. The immediate question is no longer whether the singer is receiving care, but how quickly she can be brought out of hospital and back to health.