Alan Brazil, the 66-year-old broadcaster, misses his talkSPORT breakfast show for a second consecutive day, skipping coverage of the Cheltenham Gold Cup day.
Brazil was set to return after feeling unwell on Thursday following a scheduled rest day on Wednesday. However, he also sits out Friday’s broadcast from the Cheltenham Festival, just a month after an earlier illness kept him off air.
Stand-In Host’s Update
Stand-in presenter Shebahn Aherne assured listeners on Thursday: “Alan will be back with you tomorrow morning, fit and firing for Gold Cup Day.” Despite this, Aherne steps in again for her Scottish colleague.
talkSPORT confirms that “the big man is a wee bit unwell” and requires time to recover. Brazil previously took time off in January due to health issues.
Colleagues’ Concerns
Broadcasting colleague and former England international Ray Parlour expressed worry, stating: “I hope he’s alright, Alan. He was getting dizzy last week when I was here. The lights are making him go dizzy, so if we go dizzy later and say ‘oh we don’t feel too good’ then turn the lights down for God’s sake.”
Aherne reassured audiences: “We are sending our love to Al, he is absolutely fine, he’s doing well.”
Brazil’s Long Tenure and Cheltenham History
Brazil has hosted the talkSPORT Breakfast show since the station’s launch in 2000, reducing his hours in 2020. His connection to the Cheltenham Festival draws attention, including past absences.
In 2004, he faced dismissal after missing a show post-festival but returned shortly after. Five years ago, a heart operation sidelined him; he later shared: “I had a little problem, whether it was Covid related or, I don’t know, fast living catching up with me, but I ended up in a couple of hospitals. I had a little sort out in the old ticker but I’m pleased to say I’m on the mend.”
Last year, Brazil dismissed rumors of overindulgence, explaining: “There was no massive drinks bender. I was just tired after coming down here on Sunday. It’s been a long week. Also my knee is playing up after a lot of walking about… It’s not Covid or anything. I just meet so many people in this job – especially here at Cheltenham. So I just got a bug that’s all… Tales that I was drinking too much yesterday are just a load of nonsense… It’s got nothing to do with booze.”
Ahead of this year’s festival, talkSPORT launched a game challenging players to “try to get Big Al to air” for Gold Cup day.
