The TV personality stopped breathing during a routine operation in her vocal chords earlier this week.

JOAN RIVERS IN CRITICAL CONDITION FOLLOWING THROAT SURGERY

Joan was undergoing the procedure at Mount Sinai Medical Centre in New York when the clinic called 911 after she reportedly crashed.

The emergency teller was told: “We have somebody in either cardiac or respiratory arrest.”

Joan’s Fashion Police co-host Guiliana Rancic tweeted: “Even though Joan's the strongest woman I know, every single prayer counts. I love you, Joan.”

JOAN RIVERS TELLS ANGELINA: GIVE JENNIFER ANISTON BACK HER HUSBAND

A spokesman for the hospital said: “This morning, Joan Rivers was taken to The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York, where she is being attended to.”

“Her family wants to thank everybody for their outpouring of love and support.”

81-year-old Joan is well known for her quick wit and below-the-belt comments about fellow celebrities.

Just 12 hours before she was fighting for her life, Joan was pictured receiving flowers at a comedy club in New York.

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