Pruning a Tall Overgrown HT Rose

Hi All, roses are one of those plants I've never really grown, however our nextdoor neighbour who is in his 80's has asked me to tidy up his front garden (basically pruning the various shrubs). One though is a very tall; 7ft+ HT rose, it's very old and obviously never been pruned correctly, all the growth and flowers are on the top 2-3ft and there's quite a lot of dead wood. Is it possible to prune it back so far now and then prune back to a healthy group of stems in February or should I just leave it all until then except maybe for dead heading now?? Also will it recover from a severe pruning given it is so old and not been pruned properly??, the growth that is there on the top does look very healthy still.

Thanks in advance :thumb:

 

Yay! Woo's back. Too-wit-to-woo! :happydance: