SINGING legend Sydney Devine is “finally making progress” in his life-threatening battle against a mystery virus.

The 81-year-old country and western star has been in Ayr’s University Hospital for three weeks where doctors have battled to discover the reason for Devine’s major chest problems.

There were real concerns for the star’s life, given he has a history of heart problems and indeed suffered a double heart attack in 2019.

But now there looks to be a breakthrough.

His daughter Karen said: “Just this morning the doctors told me they believe they have identified the culture of the virus which has been making him so seriously ill.

“It certainly isn’t Covid-related. The doctors ruled that out at the earliest opportunity.

“But now they are hopeful that with this knowledge they can now work out the right sort of antibiotic or treatment that will help him recover.”

She added: “We’ve had three weeks now of doctors trying everything possible, and he just wasn’t responding We were really, really worried.”

Devine has been a major recording and performance star since the seventies.

He began working on the variety circuit however as a 13-year-old whistler before buying his first guitar and switching to singing Elvis songs.

In later years, he discovered country and western and reinvented C&W hits for the Scottish market. The plan worked perfectly. During his career he has sold an incredible 15m albums.

But in recent years, Devine, who lives in Ayr with wife Shirley, has suffered a series of health problems.

Ironically, just before going into hospital, Devine decided to record his own tribute to the NHS frontline workers, You’re All Heroes.

He had no idea that he was soon going to be reliant upon those same workers keeping him alive.

The song was composed by an Australian writer and Devine has been awaiting clearance to release it, given the words have been changed to feature the tribute to health workers.

However, Devine is delighted the song, in which he sings the praises of those who risk their lives to treat others, will now be released on the usual streaming services in just over a week.

“I must say the doctors and staff have been absolutely fantastic to me,” said Devine.

“They’re the best staff I’ve ever come across in my life. God bless you all and my sincere thanks.”