Successful operation for Stephen Sutton

The 19-year-old, who has won hearts all over the world with his incredible fundraising story, posted a message to reveal the success of the operation.

Stephen was hospitalised last week after his right lung collapsed.

Surgeons have now removed parts of a tumour from the teenager's airway and the hope is that his right lung may start to get larger again.

His airway will be monitored regularly as doctors keep their fingers crossed that Stephen's breathing will stay functional.

It comes after Stephen, whose campaign has raised £3.1 million for the Teenage Cancer Trust, told his followers he believed he had coughed up a tumour earlier this week.

David Cameron was today the latest figure to join the #thumbsupforstephen campaign - an initiative which has seen dozens of high-profile celebrities take to social media to back the brave teen:

Stephen said he was feeling much better after coughing up an 'oval red stained solid object'.

Writing on his Stephen's Story Facebook page yesterday, the Burntwood teenager said: "This morning I had the operation and everything went well!

"The aim was to remove anything nasty that was blocking my airway and maybe put a stent in.

"There is still some tumour in my lung, but the surgeon is confident he has removed as much of the tumour from my airway as possible, so much so he thought putting the stent in wasn't necessary as my airway seemed to be pretty fully clear, which is great news.

"The airway will need monitoring, but the outcome now is that my right lung may start to re-expand and my breathing generally stay functional for as long as possible!"

Facebook users were thrilled with the latest news, with thousands leaving messages of support.

Pauline Devaney Jepson wrote: "This is great news, you inspire me with every one of your posts."

And Natalie Howell added: "What an inspirational young man you are, so many people could learn from you. I've just donated and I wish you well."

Meanwhile, friends of the teenager now hope they can help him cross something else off his famous bucket list by breaking a world record this weekend.

School friend Hannah Telles and her mother Maria Tucker plan to get 600 people together to make a heart-shaped gesture at the same time at Chase Terrace Technology College on Sunday at 3pm.

If successful the event, which was being organised by Stephen before his health deteriorated, will set a Guinness World Record.

Miss Telles said: "We chose the heart-shaped hand gesture because it fits with Stephen's positive outlook on life.

"We all love Stephen and we want to show him just how much he has touched all of our hearts.

It coincides with World Laughter Day and later that evening a charity comedy night will take place at St Matthews Sports and Social Club, also in Burntwood, with tickets costing £3.