FORMER heart op patients have advised Jan Williams to keep active as she recovers from surgery.

The Sentinel reported yesterday how Jan – mum of pop star Robbie Williams – will be spending Christmas in hospital after undergoing bypass surgery on a life-threatening heart condition.

Jan went under the knife on Sunday, just days after doctors diagnosed her with a diseased artery, and she is now making a good recovery.

Former Port Vale director Geoff Wakefield knows what Jan is going through, having had triple bypass surgery himself in January.

He says he now feels better than he has done for 20 years, and he had a few words of advice for Jan at the beginning of her recovery.

Geoff, aged 68, of St Leonard's Avenue, Ipstones, said: "The absolutely crucial thing is to do exactly what the doctors and surgeons tell you to do.

"I know Jan and she's sensible enough to do that, but I was amazed to find out that some people don't bother.

"They tell you that you have to exercise, starting at about 100 yards and then building it up. It can be bloody murder. After walking 100 yards I felt like I'd just done a marathon on my hands and knees.

"But the surgeon and the senior registrar both told me that they can only do 50 per cent of the job, and so I've got to do the other 50 per cent.

"They weren't nasty about it, but you could see they were a bit perturbed that half of the people don't do as they're told, after undergoing such an intricate operation."

Former Great Britain athletics coach Jim Talbot had a five-artery bypass operation in October 2006, after suffering two heart attacks.

But that did not stop him returning to Northwood Stadium, where he is still involved in coaching youngsters at the age of 76.

He believes the secret to recovering from heart disease is to get on with your normal life as much as you can.

Jim, of Hill Top Crescent, Meir Heath, said: "My operation didn't go that well because I'd had two heart attacks before, and I've had all sorts of other health problems as well.

"But you can't dwell on it, because then life just isn't worth living.

"I'm just getting on with my life. I'm still coaching, and I love my athletes. I can't stop.

"I wasn't expecting to get through the operation, but I've had two years since then.

"I have a friend who's had a heart bypass operation, and they're fine.

"I'm sure Robbie Williams will look after his mum, so she just has to carry on with her life as it was before."

Jan, an alcohol abuse counsellor and Salvation Army fund-raiser, admitted herself into a private hospital last week complaining of chest pains.

Her daughter Sally Williams, of Keele, said she had been fortunate her mum's condition was diagnosed and treated so early, before it could deteriorate.

Jan will be spending the festive period in her hospital bed, but Sally said her family would be keeping her company.