Taylor Swift's father Scott has undergone major heart surgery

Taylor, her brother Austin Swift and their mother Andrea Swift are said to have been by his side following the operation, which came after a routine check-up detected the problem with his heart.

The Mayo Clinic states: "Coronary artery bypass surgery creates a new path for blood to go around a blocked or partially blocked artery in the heart.

"The surgery (often) involves taking a healthy blood vessel from the chest or leg area. The vessel is connected below the blocked heart artery. The new path improves blood flow to the heart muscle."

Taylor has often discussed the close relationship she has with her parents and revealed that her mother had been diagnosed with cancer in 2015.

She wrote on social media site Tumblr at the time: "I'm writing to you with an update I wish I wasn't giving you, but it's important and I'm used to sharing important events in my life with you.

"Usually when things happen to me, I process them and then write music about how I feel, and you hear it much later. This is something my family and I thought you should about now."

The 35-year-old singer continued: "I'd like to keep details of her condition and treatment plans private, but she wanted you to know. She wanted you to know why she may not be at as many shows this tour. She's got an important battle to fight."

Taylor also wrote a deeply personal essay when her mother's cancer returned in 2019 - which later led to the discovery of brain tumour during her treatment.

The Anti-Hero singer wrote in Elle magazine: "It taught me that there are real problems and then there's everything else. My mom's cancer is a real problem. I used to be so anxious about daily ups and downs.

"I give all of my worry, stress and prayers to real problems now."

Taylor then shared that her father had been diagnosed with the disease previously, although did not give any further details.

She wrote: "Both of my parents have had cancer."