Alan Brazil, the former Scotland international footballer and broadcaster, has returned to the airwaves after undergoing a life-saving liver transplant earlier this year. Brazil made his first appearance on Talksport in nearly four months on Wednesday, sharing details of his recovery and the serious health challenges he faced during the procedure.

The 67-year-old revealed that during the transplant surgery at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, his heart stopped beating for 40 seconds, a critical incident that necessitated an extended stay in intensive care. Doctors informed him that without a suitable donor liver, he might have died within two weeks.

Known for a history of heavy alcohol consumption, Brazil said he is now on lifelong immunosuppressant medication, which strictly prohibits any alcohol intake. “I’m on massive medication… rejection pills. Obviously no alcohol,” he explained. He also noted that while alcohol was a factor in his liver issues, other health concerns were involved as well.

Brazil described his current lifestyle as markedly different from before the operation. He said he avoids social settings like pubs and has had to limit his outdoor activities, including time in the sun. “I can’t go out in the sun. I was down in Spain for a week and I can’t go to my favourite bars or my favourite beach. I was like a monk walking about with a book,” he said.

His return to broadcasting marks a significant milestone in his recovery, and he spoke candidly about the impact of the transplant on his life and career moving forward.