Australian TV icon Bert Newton is recovering after having his leg amputated on Saturday.
The 82-year-old's agent, Jackie Booler, confirmed reports the surgery occurred after the star suffered complications from an infected toe.
Newton's wife, Patti, told reporters her husband was in "really good spirits" but had a big recovery ahead of him.
"But you know Bert, onward and upward and I'm sure he will be fine," she said.
"We're hoping, anyway. We're saying lots of prayers, hoping everyone is saying lots of prayers."
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford earlier described the below-the-knee amputation as a "life or death" decision.
But Ford said the veteran entertainer did not want his surgery reported as a "sad story".
Ford said the family felt grateful the treatment would give Bert Newton more time with his wife and their children and grandchildren.
"It started off just before Christmas time, a toe infection, it didn't seem particularly dramatic at the time," Ford told 3AW.
But he said doctors' concerns grew over time, before Newton was given "the ultimatum".
"You only have a couple of months to live [but] if you have this operation and we amputate your leg you could have many years ahead," Ford said.
"So that was the choice, and Bert clearly chose to stick around."
