DOCTORS treating comedian Rik Mayall following a quad-bike crash at his South Devon retreat were "happy with his progress" today in hospital.
The 39-year-old television star's wife Barbara announced on the third day of her bedside vigil: "We think he is okay."
She said through a spokeswoman at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth, that she was "more optimistic" about her husband's prospects.
Mr Mayall was still under sedation and in a stable condition in intensive care on a specialist neurological ward.
But he is believed to be through the critical initial 72 hour period of waiting for the brain to stop swelling.
He was flown unconscious to the hospital by police helicopter after the accident at Pasture Farm, near East Allington in the South Hams, on Thursday.
It is understood the four-wheeled motorbike toppled on top of Mr Mayall as he rode across a steeply sloping field.
Fans - including one from Australia - have been telephoning with good wishes which have been passed to his family.