Democratic Unionist Party leader the Rev Ian Paisley was close to death when he was seriously ill last year, his son has said.
The veteran politician spent 10 days in hospital last August having tests for an undisclosed illness, rumoured to be either prostate cancer or a leaking heart valve. Dr Paisley (79) and his family had refused to discuss his medical problems or his condition.
However his son, the Rev Kyle Paisley, a minister in his father's Free Presbyterian Church, confirmed at the weekend that the North Antrim MP nearly died last year.
He made the comments as he introduced Dr Paisley to his congregation at a service on Saturday to mark his 14th year as minister of his church near Lowestoft, Suffolk. Dr Paisley usually preaches at the church every year, but was unable to visit last summer because of his illness.
His son told worshippers: "This is a special service for me inasmuch as last year my father was very, very ill. He said he was at death's door and it was a very trying and testing time for him and my Mum and all our family.
"I believe that he was saved because people prayed for him. He still has God's work to do and is looking 10 years younger."
The Rev Paisley (38) refused to comment further about his father's health. "We have not really said anything about it. The family has never given any details because we feel it should be kept private."
Speculation about Dr Paisley's health has increased in recent years as he has reduced his workload and his number of public appearances. Last year he stood down after 25 years as an MEP but insisted he had no plans to step down as DUP leader or head of the church.
Dr Paisley blamed "Romanists" in the media for spreading lies about his health last year.
In an article last September in his church magazine Revivalist, he claimed he was now "wonderfully healed".
Dr Paisley was able to joke about his health with his son's congregation in Suffolk.
"I feel in perfect health. In fact I feel a little too well sometimes and I have to say to myself, 'You are no longer 15, you are in your 80th year and you have to be careful'.
"What keeps me going is I have a message that transformed my own life. God has given me a job to do. I believe I have work to do."