A hospital spokesman said an antimicrobial stent had been inserted into a blood vessel to help the flow of blood into his heart.

He added that it was one of the first operations in Europe to use the new stent, which is designed to stave off any possible infection in the weeks and months following the procedure.

‘‘Lonnie is sitting up in bed watching TV. The operation has gone well and he is fit, well and comfortable,’’ the spokesman said last night.

It is the third operation for the star, who has suffered from heart problems since the 1970s. In 1992, he was flown to Britain from his home in Spain to have emergency heart surgery.

Donegan was one of the most successful recording artists before the Beatles, scoring three number one hits and countless top 10 entries.

He recently completed his first UK tour for many years and has seen a resurgence in his career after working with Van Morrison.

‘‘He had tests a couple of weeks ago and he knew he needed another operation,’’ Mr Roberts said.

‘‘He has never smoked a cigarette, does not drink, and he is a bit of a tough nut. If you saw him on stage six weeks ago, you’d think he was 29-years-old.’’

Christened Anthony James, the Glasgow-born singer re-named himself after the black American guitarist Lonnie Johnson.

Fans regard his skiffle records - a mixture of folk, jazz, gospel and the blues - as hugely influential on today’s pop.

His hits included Does Your Chewing Gum Lose Its Flavour, My Old Man’s A Dustman, Cumberland Gap and Puttin’ On The Style.

He married three times and became a father for the seventh time in 1990 when Sharon, who met him when she was a 15-year-old fan, gave birth to a son, Andrew.