Rue McClanahan recovering from surgery

Golden Girls star Rue McClanahan is recovering from bypass surgery performed yesterday in New York, according to reports.

On Monday, the 75-year-old actress's doctor noticed that her heartbeat was irregular. She was asked to check into the hospital where she later underwent the procedure.

"He listened to her ticker and didn't like what he heard," McClanahan's publicist told Entertainment Weekly.

She is "doing great" now, the representative added.

McClanahan had to cancel her appearance at an event to be held in her honour in San Francisco. She is expected to make a full recovery and begin work on a new film project very soon.