DILLER RECUPERATING FROM SURGERY

LATEST: Veteran comedienne PHYLLIS DILLER has undergone surgery for fractures in her neck sustained when she fell out of bed at her Brentwood, California, mansion last week (ends22APR05).

The 87-year-old star's "prognosis is great" after her Saturday (23APR05) surgery to insert pins in her neck, says manager MILT SUCHIN, who adds that she is recuperating in hospital and hopes to return home by the end of the week.

Suchin is also happy to note that Diller's sense of humour has remained intact.

He says, "She's in great spirits and looks forward to going back to work.

"Going into the operation, honest to God with the surgeon, she looked up at him and said, 'You haven't been drinking, have you?'"