George Best's 'hours are numbered'

Football legend George Best is "coming to the end of the long road of his ill-health", his doctor Professor Roger Williams said today.

Professor Williams claims it's impossible for Best to recover from his current condition and would be surprised if he survived through the next 24 hours.

"He's still alive, he's still having standard medical care and treatment but I have to tell that his hours are numbered now," he said.

Best is being treated in the intensive care unit at the private Cromwell Hospital, west London, after he suffered a lung infection.

Overnight his condition deteriorated and there is no longer anything doctors can do, Prof Williams said.

Emotional doctor

Clearly upset Prof Williams, who has been overseeing Best's treatment, told reporters outside the hospital: "It's the final stage of this illness and I am afraid he could die at any time over the next 24 hours."

Best's son Calum, 24, his father Dickie, 87, and other family members were at his bedside, but he was no longer conscious or aware of what was happening.

Former team-mates Denis Law and Bobby Charlton have also visited Best this afternoon, along with Portsmouth chairman and close friend Milan Mandaric.

The former Manchester United and Northern Ireland star had a controversial liver transplant in 2002 after his existing liver failed following years of alcohol abuse.

Best, who ignored pleas to stay off the booze after the operation, was admitted to the hospital on October 1 suffering from a flu-like infection.

His health deteriorated rapidly when he developed a kidney infection but he then rallied and his condition was thought to be improving until the early hours of Friday when he suffered a severe setback.

He developed a lung infection and was put back on a ventilator in intensive care but remained alert.

However, his condition worsened again on Tuesday night.

Most watched News videos