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Former Scotland international and talkSPORT pundit Alan Brazil has disclosed that his heart stopped during a liver transplant operation earlier this year.
The 66-year-old had been absent from the airwaves for several weeks, prompting concern among his many loyal listeners and fans.
Brazil appeared on talkSPORT to give a full account of the ordeal, explaining that the events unfolded rapidly after years of medical consultations and specialist trials.
He said: “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.”
Brazil admitted he had been reluctant to go through with the procedure but was ultimately persuaded by his family to take action before it was too late.
He explained: “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.”
The broadcaster received a call at 10am on the same morning he had been working, and was told to get to hospital immediately without delay.
He recounted: “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.”
Brazil revealed the surgery lasted eight hours and that his heart temporarily stopped before restarting on its own during the procedure.
He said: “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.”
The pundit spent a week in intensive care followed by a total of four weeks in hospital, which he said took a significant emotional toll on him.
Brazil singled out a doctor for particular praise, saying: “I swear, I thought my days were numbered, but this guy [Dr Gibbs] has been a legend.”
Despite the severity of the experience, Brazil managed to inject some characteristic humour into his return appearance alongside fellow pundit Gabby Agbonlahor.
He said: “I am on the mend. Still not there, but I am getting there. Incentives to get back include Gabby talking tosh, and I can still do this.”
Brazil had previously taken to Instagram to praise the NHS for what he described as “miracle” work carried out by the dedicated medical teams who treated him.
He closed his message to fans with characteristic warmth, saying: “I am alive and kicking, and I am looking forward to it.”
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