Alan Brazil’s coronary heart stopped beating mid-liver transplant after years of boozing
Alan Brazil has opened up about his recent health scare, with the talkSPORT legend needing a liver transplant – adding his heart stopped beating on the operating table
Alan Brazil opened up on his recent health scare
Alan Brazil has revealed he underwent life-saving surgery, with the talkSPORT legend needing a liver transplant.
Brazil, 66, had been off-air from presenting his regular Breakfast Show slot for several months, but returned give his listeners an update on his health. Brazil admitted that years of boozing had left him needing a liver transplant, and his heart stopped beating on the operating table.
The Scottish football legend explained: “On the Wednesday morning, I worked at talkSPORT, and I had been taking part in ongoing trials and seeing specialists and decided that I needed a transplant.
JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
“I didn’t want to do it, but my kids and Jill [his wife] made me do it, and amazingly, I’d gone through loads of appointments and serious questions that you wouldn’t normally talk to anyone about.
“But they decided to have a go at it, or I would have been in trouble. I finished at quarter to ten and got a shout at 10am to phone the hospital and they told me to get in right now.
“I jumped in a cab and went down to Cambridge, and at 2:30 that afternoon, I was on the slab and they opened me up and they transplanted my liver.
“I was there for eight hours and my heart did stop for a bit, but it came back on its own, so I am very, very lucky. I swear, I thought my days were numbered, but this guy [Dr Gibbs] has been a legend.
“I had week in intensive care, and the staff are so overworked, but I have really got them to thank. I had four weeks in there, and it got me down. I am feeling really good.”
He added: “I’m still here! Gradually every day improving. I’m looking forward to getting back. It’s going to be a few more weeks, hopefully two or three and then I’m getting back. There’s going to be loads of sport on, which is really getting me going.
“It’s been a funny few months, it really has, but there’s a lot of rubbish going on at the moment [elsewhere], there’s heartbreak and Kenny [Dalglish], Kevin Keegan, John Barnes, every day you read something different.
“It’s our age I’m afraid. I copped it and thank God, luckily, the guys at Addenbrooke’s Hospital saved my life. I’m on the mend I’m still not there, getting there guys. Gabby [Agbonlahor] is still talking tosh so I can still do this.
“Gabby, lovely to see you mate, and Ally [McCoist], I’m excited to get back to you with Celtic, Rangers, and Hearts. So much sport has been going on and it’s really kept me going to be honest. It’s been magic and there’s still loads to come with the World Cup, so bingo!
“I’m alive and kicking, and I’m looking forward to it.”
