Joan Rivers 'still in serious condition'

Joan Rivers’ daughter Melissa has revealed the comedienne remains in a “serious condition”.

Melissa released an updated statement about her 81-year-old mother’s status, after she was rushed to the hospital on Thursday when she stopped breathing while undergoing an operation on her throat.

And Melissa said that while there has been no improvement as yet, she and the Rivers family are extremely moved by the support from fans.

“My mother would be so touched by the tributes and prayers that we have received from around the world,” Melissa told E! News. “Her condition remains serious but she is receiving the best treatment and care possible. We ask that you continue to keep her in your thoughts as we pray for her recovery.”

TMZ broke the news emergency medical help was called to East 93rd Street in Manhattan at 9:40 a.m. Thursday on a report of a patient in “cardiac and respiratory arrest”, according to the New York Fire Department.

The website claims Joan was undergoing surgery on her vocal cords at a clinic at the time.

She was reportedly taken to New York City’s Mount Sinai Hospital by first responders.

Additional details about her condition and the type of operation she was reportedly undergoing have not yet been released.

Joan has been a fixture on the red carpet for decades, now best-known for cutting down celebrities for their fashion disasters on TV show Fashion Police!

Stars including Charlie Sheen, Joan Collins and Donald Trump have taken to Twitter to send their well-wishes to Joan.

The latest star to wish the star a speedy recovery is Cher, who shared a picture of the pair together on her Twitter page.

She accompanied the shot with the caption: “Hey Joan, hurry and get well. I know you and you're the toughest chick on our block.”