Molly Meldrum is fighting a life-and-death battle after a fall as he decorated his Melbourne home for a Christmas party.
The music industry legend remains in an induced coma in intensive care at The Alfred hospital after suffering extensive injuries in the fall on Thursday evening.
The 65-year-old cracked the back of his head which led to bleeding and swelling of the brain, and also broke several ribs and punctured a lung.
The Alfred's director of neurosurgery Jeffrey Rosenfeld said while Meldrum had been in a stable condition overnight, he remained in a life-threatening situation.
"We're really concerned for his life, it's a life-and-death matter," Dr Rosenfeld said outside the hospital on Friday morning.
"Here he was perfectly well yesterday and here he is today fighting for his life. We're fighting that battle with him and for him."
The surgeon said it was too early to predict the chances of a full recovery and the next 24 hours would be critical.
Later cricket great and St Kilda AFL fan Shane Warne says his heart goes out to his great mate
Meldrum and Warne are two of St Kilda's most high-profile supporters - Warne played at reserve-grade level for the Saints before concentrating on cricket.
Warne, 42, said he grew up watching Meldrum host the TV show Countdown.
"It's terrible to hear the news," Warne said on Friday.
"I heard late last night. He has been a good friend for the best part of 20 years.
"Everyone all over Australia knew Molly Meldrum. Growing up with Countdown and all those sorts of things."
"Everything's crossed and our heart goes out to him very much and we hope he pulls through."
CONFIDENT OF RECOVERY
Meldrum's manager Mark Klemens said he was confident he'd recover.
"He's an absolute trooper and whenever he's been down before he gets straight up so I would be hopeful and confident that he'll be back looking down the lens saying: 'do yourself a favour'," he told reporters.
"I've looked after Molly for a long time and he's a great mate so I'm totally optimistic.
"He's a person that endears himself to people and he's iconic. He's a very special man."
Music industry figures, including Kylie Minogue and Boy George, actors and fans have taken to social media with messages of support.
"When he looks back on all this I have absolutely no doubt he'll be humbled and thrilled at the support," Mr Klemens said.
Music promoter and friend Michael Chugg said he had received messages of support for Meldrum from around the world, including British promoter Harvey Goldsmith and connections of Billy Joel.
"It's just incredible how much Molly's loved worldwide," he told ABC Radio.
"There's a lot of prayers out there.
"He'll be fighting for his life. He's not ready to bow out yet, I can tell you."
Prime Minister Julia Gillard tweeted: "Australia's thoughts are with you, Molly. Keep fighting."
Meldrum fell about three metres down stairs around the spa at his Richmond home while putting up decorations for a Christmas party on Sunday.
Meldrum's family and friends spent hours at his bedside overnight.
Dr Rosenfeld said doctors would perform a brain scan on Friday morning to see how Meldrum had responded to the surgery.
He believed it was unlikely that Meldrum would need more surgery but doctors wanted to see what the scan showed.
"I am encouraged that he's been stable overnight," he said.
"But he's still very seriously ill."
Meldrum's name is synonymous with music in Australia.
He has hosted TV show Countdown, regularly appeared on variety show Hey Hey It's Saturday and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the music world.
Meldrum, famous for his trademark stetson hat, was made a Member of the Order of Australia in 1986 for services to the fostering of international relief and to youth.
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