A holidaymaker is in intensive care in a Russian hospital after falling ill on a cruise holiday.

Geoff Kenney, 60, has had two major operations in seven days as doctors battle to save his life.

He remains critically ill and his Markfield family is waiting for news. Wife Jean is at his bedside, where she receives a single update each day from an English-speaking doctor.

Mr Kenney, who had been unconscious since a second operation on Monday, finally woke on Wednesday night and was speaking.

His family hopes he will soon be allowed to return home.

His parents, Doug and Ella Kenney, of Markfield, said it had been a traumatic time.

Mrs Kenney, 85, a retired nurse, said: "He was deeply unconscious and seriously ill, with a respirator helping him to breathe. To say we were worried is an understatement.

"All we did was sit by the phone, waiting. We are so glad he has woken up."

The semi-retired accountant was two days into a Baltic cruise with his wife when he was taken off the boat and into hospital in St Petersburg.

A scan revealed painful adhesions – fibrous bands of scar tissue – had formed on his intestines, causing them to stick together.

He had a five-hour emergency operation on Tuesday, July 20, which appeared to be a success.

However, an X-ray six days later revealed the operation had failed – his intestines had ulcerated and his body was being poisoned.

Fighting for his life, Mr Kenney faced another five-hour operation to remove part of his intestines.

Mrs Kenney, 60, is unable to leave the hospital due to visa complications.

After her husband's second operation she had to wait 12 hours before she knew what surgeons had done and if it had been a success. She then had a three-day wait by his bedside before he woke up.

"Jean said the hospital staff are kind and taking extremely good care of them both, but the language barrier is a problem," said Mrs Kenney.

"We are obviously still worried, but we feel enormously relieved knowing he is awake and asking to be sent home."

Doctors are still not sure what made Mr Kenney ill, but think an intestine operation he had 40 years ago may be the cause.

His dad, Doug, 90, a former maths teacher at Anstey High School, said: "He is such a healthy guy, never ill. It's hard to imagine how he can be fine one day and in intensive care the next."

The former Loughborough College pupil works as a semi-retired chartered accountant from his home in Anstey Heights.

His parents are keen to assure their son's many clients that he would be in touch as soon as he was well enough.

It is hoped Mr Kenney will be moved out of intensive care this week.

The couple, who had been due to arrive home on Sunday, have been told an air ambulance will be arranged when he is well enough to fly.

Mrs Kenney, said: "We want him back in this country so that we can visit him.

"They had been looking forward to their holiday for so long.

"It's hard to believe that it has turned out like this."

A spokesman for the Foreign Office said they were aware of the couple's plight.

He said: "We are providing consular assistance."