JERRY LEWIS

The 80-year-old comedian suffered a heart attack last weekend (11JUN06) and is recovering in a San Diego, California hospital.

But, despite the surgery he faces, Lewis is said to be in terrific spirits, and he's already conducting business from his hospital bed.

Lewis' manager reveals the funnyman's pet Chihuahuas ROCKY and PAULIE are with him in hospital and the comic has been boosted by get well wishes from fans and friends like LARRY KING and DEANA MARTIN, the daughter of Lewis' late partner DEAN MARTIN.

Plans to turn his hit movie THE NUTTY PROFESSOR into a new stage musical are still going ahead, and the comic insists he'll be well enough to host his yearly Muscular Dystrophy Association telethon at the end of the summer (06).