Status Quo’s guitarist Rick Parfitt is reported to be in a serious condition in hospital after suffering a suspected heart attack shortly after the band performed in concert in Turkey.

The 67 year old, who has suffered from similar ill health in the past, was taken to hospital in the early hours of Wednesday morning (June 15th) after they had completed a gig at Expo 2016 in Turkey.

Rick ParfittStatus Quo's guitarist Rick Parfitt playing live in June 2016

His condition is said to be serious, but according to the band’s management Parfitt is at least well enough to communicate, saying that he had “demanded his customary cup of tea with two sugars and a sweetener.”

Simon Porter, who manages the ‘60s rock veterans, said in a statement on Thursday: “No further comment will be made at this stage until the completion of the next round of tests and assessments to be made over the next few days. We would ask you to respect the family’s privacy at this difficult time.”

More: Status Quo axe European tour dates after guitarist Rick Parfitt is taken to hospital [archive]

A post on the group’s official Facebook page reassured fans that Status Quo’s gig at the Rock On Windermere charity show on June 18th would be going ahead, with Freddie Edwards, the son of Quo’s bassist John ‘Rhino’ Edward, in Parfitt’s place temporarily.

Two years ago, the group was forced to cancel a large number of European tour dates after Parfitt was told to rest by doctors while recovering from surgery to correct a problem with his quadruple heart bypass operation he had had in 1997.

On top of this, he has also suffered a heart attack as recently as 2011, and had a throat cancer scare in 2005.

Status Quo had performed in Britain at the Isle of Wight Festival as recently as last weekend.

More: Rick Parfitt – “I can survive anything after three heart attacks” [archive]