Former Scotland international and talkSPORT presenter Alan Brazil has revealed that his heart stopped during a life-saving liver transplant operation. The 66-year-old, who has been absent from the airwaves, provided an update for concerned fans, detailing his ordeal at Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge.
Brazil explained that he had been undergoing trials and seeing specialists before deciding to proceed with the transplant, encouraged by his children and wife, Jill. He said: '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.'
The operation lasted eight hours, during which his heart stopped temporarily. 'My heart did stop for a bit, but it came back on its own, so I am very, very lucky,' Brazil said. He credited Dr Gibbs and the NHS staff for saving his life, describing them as 'legends' despite being overworked.
Brazil spent a week in intensive care and four weeks in hospital overall. He expressed gratitude for the care he received and is now on the mend, looking forward to returning to his broadcasting role alongside Gabby Agbonlahor.
