TalkSport host Alan Brazil has revealed he is “lucky to be alive” after his heart stopped during a liver transplant. The former Scotland and Ipswich striker, 66, announced last month that he had undergone a “life-saving operation”. He returned to the airwaves on Thursday morning, confirming that he is still recovering but is “alive and kicking”.
Recovery and Return
“I am still here. Gradually, every day improving and looking forward to getting back,” Brazil said. “It is going to be a few more weeks, but hopefully, just two or three and get back.” He added that sport on television has kept him going during a “funny few months”.
Brazil acknowledged the recent cancer diagnoses of football legends Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan, and John Barnes, saying, “Every day you read something different. I copped it, but thank God, luckily, the guys at Addenbrooke's Hospital have saved my life.”
Details of the Operation
Brazil explained that he underwent the transplant just hours after finishing his breakfast show. “They transplanted my liver. My heart did stop for a bit and it came back on its own,” he said. “I’ll be frank, I’m very, very lucky to be here.”
Brazil made 13 appearances for Scotland and scored 76 goals for Ipswich during a six-year spell at Portman Road between 1977 and 1983, winning the FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup in 1981.
