ROLLING Stone Keith Richards is due to have his skull drilled after suffering a brain haemorrhage falling from a palm tree, The Sun can reveal.

The rock wildman, 62, has been told by doctors he needs to have blood drained from his brain after bashing his head in the tumble in Fiji last week.

Keith was originally diagnosed with mild concussion.

But he continued to complain of dull headaches and tests revealed a small haemorrhage.

A close pal said last night: “Keith’s accident has turned out worse than everybody feared.

“After the tests doctors decided they should drain his skull. It has given him a scare but he has been told that he should make a full recovery once it’s done.”

Keith had the accident as he and bandmate Ronnie Wood tried to climb the tree to get coconuts at a luxury resort.

Keith lost his grip and plunged back down to the ground.

The guitar hero was flown 1,500 miles to Ascot Hospital in Auckland, New Zealand, with his wife Patti Hansen for tests.

He was discharged yesterday and faces having the op at another hospital.

Now pals reckon the incident will help him finally change his hellraising ways. He has already vowed to quit booze and cigarettes.

“Keef” had gone to Fiji’s exclusive Wakaya Club resort after playing with the Stones at Wellington, New Zealand, two weeks ago as part of their Bigger Band world tour.

If all goes well, he is expected to be fully fit in time for the European leg of the tour which kicks off in Barcelona on May 27.