THE PLASTIC surgeon facing investigation after an operation left a Fylde footballer's wife fighting for her life has denied trying to avoid a UK ban by applying to be struck-off.

Recent reports claim that Dr Gustaf Aniansson has applied for a "voluntary erasure" from the British medical register -- a move which could stop a probe into his conduct by the General Medical Council (GMC).

Aniansson -- formerly of the private Broughton Park Clinic, near Preston -- is currently under the threat of a UK ban by the GMC after 29 former patients threatened legal action claiming serious infections or scars after undergoing cosmetic surgery with him.

Among those left injured was 36-year-old Denise Hendry, the wife of ex-Scotland skipper and Bolton Wanderer's star Colin, who went under the knife for a routine £2,400 tummy-tuck last year.

The mum-of-four -- of West Beach in Lytham -- then spent six weeks in a coma on a life support machine after suffering blood poisoning and organ failure from horrific internal injuries, including a perforated bowel and colon.

Following Denise's case, a GMC preliminary hearing last August found that there were insufficient grounds to suspend the doctor, but decided that an inquiry should go ahead. If found guilty of misconduct or negligence Aniansson will face being blacklisted by the British medical authorities and may be unable to practice worldwide.

Should he apply to struck-off he would avoid punishment and -- despite being legally prohibited from practising in the UK -- would be able to continue his work abroad.

But speaking from his home in Fulham, West London, Aniansson insisted he had no intention of standing down before investigations were complete. He's reported to have said he's no intention of stepping down and has never considered asking his name to be struck-off the medical register.

A GMC spokesman was unable to comment on the case, but admitted it is unlikely that officials would attempt to block a voluntary erasure before investigations are complete.

Should a person attempt to re-register in the UK, their application could be suspended until an inquiry is held into any previous allegations against him.

She said: "Voluntary erasures from the UK medical register are usually granted unless there is substantial evidence that an individual has seriously endangered a life.

"If a person volunteers to take themselves off the medical register while investigations are on-going and decides to re-register at a later date, then that application could be suspended until enquiries are resumed and complete."