Alan Brazil lucky to be alive after heart stopped during liver transplant

TalkSport presenter Alan Brazil has disclosed that his heart stopped during a liver transplant at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, describing himself as “very, very lucky to be here” after returning to air on Thursday morning.

Brazil, 66, had revealed last month that he had undergone a “life-saving operation”, but Thursday’s broadcast was the first time he provided details of what happened. “They transplanted my liver. My heart did stop for a bit and it came back on its own,” he told listeners. “I’ll be frank, I’m very, very lucky to be here.”

The former striker said the operation took place just hours after he had finished presenting his breakfast show. He credited the surgical team at Addenbrooke’s with saving his life. “I copped it, but thank God, luckily, the guys at Addenbrooke’s Hospital have saved my life,” he said.

Brazil said he is continuing to recover and expects to be absent for a further two to three weeks. “I am still here. Gradually, every day improving and looking forward to getting back,” he said. “It is going to be a few more weeks, but hopefully, just two or three and get back.”

He also reflected on a difficult period for figures from his footballing generation, referencing the cancer diagnoses of Kenny Dalglish, Kevin Keegan, and John Barnes. “There is a lot of rubbish going at the moment — every day you read something different,” he said.

Brazil made 13 international appearances for Scotland and spent six years at Ipswich Town between 1977 and 1983, scoring 76 goals at Portman Road. During that spell he was part of the squad that won the FA Cup in 1978 and the UEFA Cup in 1981 under Bobby Robson.