Alan Brazil Credits NHS Heroes for Life-Saving Operation After Family's Intervention

ALAN BRAZIL revealed that his family forced him into undergoing a life-saving liver-transplant operation.

The beloved former footballer and talkSPORT host shared that if he didn’t undergo the surgery.

But after intervention from his loved ones, he realised he didn’t have much choice in the matter.

He told Virgin Radio: “I’ve had a liver transplant. I’ve known about it for a long time, there was a bit of cancer on there.

“They couldn’t make their minds up whether they wanted to try and laser it out.. and then they decided ‘no, it’s too dangerous’ so we’ll put you on the list.

“I didn’t want to do it but my kids, my family said you’re having it, simple as that – you’re doing it.

“I’ve got three daughters, my wife, all on me. The dog even said you’re having it.”

The , but anxiety remained about how long he would have to wait for a suitable replacement to be found.

Incredibly, the 67-year-old barely had to wait at all, and was in the operating room the next day.

He explained: “Now this is remarkable – I want to make this clear, there was no ‘who you know’ or favours because it was the – I went on the list on the Tuesday, came to work on Wednesday morning and I got a call at quarter to 10.

“They say ‘get to Addenbrooke’s Hospital,’ who by the way are brilliant.

The ex-Scotland international took a cab straight to the medical facility, where he was told that they were ready for his surgery.

He continued: “They said ‘Mr Brazil, great news, we’ve got one for you,’ and before I knew it I was on my back, bang!”

“It was amazing going into the operating theatre thinking ‘this is it.’ I’m telling you I thought it was bye- bye. I’m sat thinking about my young days and that it’s been a good life.

“Before I knew it I wake up in intensive care, and I was in there for three weeks. . I said ‘did you get the old jump leads on?'”

But Brazil was told that he brought himself back before any action needed to be taken.

Since then he has already returned to his slot on the radio , though he is having to balance his professional life with a series of doctor’s orders.

He was told to stay out of the sun in the wake of the surgery despite taking a week-long trip to Spain.

He is also on a “massive” number of pills to help his body accept the new organ.

But overall Brazil was left floored by the life-saving treatment he received from the NHS.

He added: “There was one nurse at night for 13 beds, what a job they do, I can’t tell you how good these people are, they deserve ten times the money they get.

“They get a bit of abuse as well, what they put up with… the management has to be better for the NHS and we have to find a lot more money, they’ve been brilliant and they saved my life.”