BRIAN HARVEY - HARVEY TO REGAIN CONSCIOUSNESS

LATEST: British pop star BRIAN HARVEY has been taken off the medication keeping him in a controlled coma, and is expected to regain consciousness early next week (begs13JUN05).

The former EAST 17 singer is heavily sedated on a ventilator, after completing treatment for a broken leg, a shattered pelvis, severe abdominal injuries and fluid-filled lungs, sustained after he was crushed under his Mercedes in Essex, England on his way to a recording studio.

His manager SIMON HARRISON insists the star is now "over the worst" after he was moved to London's St George's Hospital - which specialises in chest and abdominal injuries - to receive the extensive surgery.

Doctors are now waiting for the 30-year-old to wake up, so they can assess his injuries properly.

Harvey, who is suffering from clinical depression, was rushed to hospital last month (MAY05) after he collapsed at his home following an alleged overdose of sleeping tablets.

The previous month (APR05) he was treated in a rehabilitation clinic for depression, but denied press reports he had attempted suicide.

Police are investigating the circumstances of the mysterious accident.