Radio host Alan Brazil is preparing to return to the airwaves on Wednesday, several months after a life-saving liver transplant during which his heart stopped beating. Brazil, a prominent figure at talkSPORT, has been off-air for nearly four months.
He will rejoin his regular Breakfast Show slot alongside former Premier League striker Gabby Agbonlahor. Brazil, 67, announced his impending return in a social media video, appearing relaxed while with his dog, Hugo. "I'm looking forward to Wednesday. Wednesday at 6am - talkSPORT, Brazil's back. Looking forward to it," he stated.
Brazil disclosed in June that he had undergone the surgery, which lasted eight hours, and that his heart had stopped on the operating table before restarting. "I've had a great break here in Suffolk," he said in the video. "The weather's been sensational although I'm not allowed to be in the sun too much. But it's been great."
He indicated he would take Thursday off for follow-up treatments but planned to return to the studio on Friday. "I've missed all this guys over the last three months, I really have," Brazil added. "I feel my voice and everything is beginning to improve week after week. I'm still not there yet, nowhere near - it'll take another three, four, maybe six months but I'm definitely a lot better."
Brazil, who has hosted the Breakfast Show since talkSPORT's launch in 2000, also shared his thoughts on the upcoming Premier League season, naming Arsenal as the team to beat and tipping Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham for strong campaigns. He also mentioned that Ally McCoist is taking a break after working as a World Cup pundit.
Brazil, a former striker who began his football career at Ipswich Town in 1976 and also played for Tottenham and Manchester United, won 13 caps for Scotland. He previously experienced shorter absences from his presenting duties in March and January due to illness and a festival appearance.
"Anyway, it's great to be back, I feel good. I'm looking forward to Wednesday morning, just after six o'clock with Gabby Agbonlahor on talkSPORT. We'll get it going again!" Brazil concluded.