Shane MacGowan health update: Doctors confident he will be okay

Shane MacGowan's wife has said the singer is being treated for an infection and doctors are "confident" he will be okay.

The 64-year-old Fairytale of New York star has been admitted to hospital and his wife Victoria Clarke, 56, had asked fans to pray for him.

She has now tweeted: "I just wanted to thank everyone who has been sending good wishes for @ShaneMacGowan, he is being treated for an infection and the doctors are confident that he will be ok. I am just incredibly grateful to them and to all of you."

Read more: Radio 2 to play edited version of Fairytale of New York

Clarke added: "So many positive vibes and prayers for @ShaneMacGowan it is really really amazing how lovely people are and how kind and thoughtful."

The journalist also shared a string of supportive messages and pictures from fans.

The Pogues star has used a wheelchair since he broke his pelvis in 2015 and in 2021 he fell and broke a knee, as well as tearing ligaments in his knee joint. In April he confirmed he can no longer walk.

The punk rocker joined social media platform TikTok a week ago, delighting fans with a video in which he appeared to be reasonably healthy, smiling and saying slowly: "Shane MacGowan on TikTok! I hope you enjoy. God Bless, Shane."

MacGowan, a Roman Catholic, is wearing a black sweatshirt and a large silver crucifix.

The Irish singer has been known to be a heavy drinker for many years and has a reputation for performing while intoxicated. He also has a history of drug abuse. These contributed to his poor health and he lost the last of his own teeth around 2008.

In 2016 Clarke reported he was sober "for the first time in years", citing a serious bout of pneumonia and a long stay in hospital as the main contributing factor.

MacGowan was pictured at a party in October this year vaping and holding a glass of champagne, while posing for pictures with Clarke and the supermodel Kate Moss.

Johnny Depp is a friend of The Pogues star and said in an interview last year: "The one thing I learned is never, ever try to keep up with Shane MacGowan."

MacGowan married Clarke in 2018 having been in a relationship for more than 35 years including an 11-year engagement.

Read more: Fairytale Of New York Singer Doesn't Understand Why F-Word Slur Is 'Insulting To Gays'

They tied the knot at City Hall in the Danish capital of Copenhagen and live together in Dublin.

Depp attended the ceremony and sang at their wedding.

Watch: Helena Bonham Carter believes Johnny Depp has been vindicated