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By BEN WINSTANLEY Published: 00: 43 AEDT, 23 January 2026 | Updated: 01: 54 AEDT, 23 January 2026 119 View comments Former Scotland and Manchester United star Alan Brazil was taken off talk SPORT this morning after falling ill. The popular 66-year-old broadcaster had been presenting alongside Gabriel Agbonlahor but after coming back from a break during the show the former Aston Villa forward announced that Brazil had left the studio. He said: 'You’re listening to the talk SPORT Breakfast with me, Gabby. Big Alan Brazil is feeling a bit poorly, but he’ll be back as soon as he can. ' Brazil and Agbonlahor had been on air since 6am and Katie Shanahan, who had presented the station's Early Breakfast Show, stepped in alongside Agbonlahor and gave a positive update shortly afterwards, saying: 'Alan Brazil is currently feeling a bit poorly but don’t worry listeners, he’s OK. ' Alan Brazil on air this morning before being taken ill and leaving the studio Katie Shanahan stepped in to replace Brazil and join co-host Gabriel Agbonlahor Brazil has presented the Breakfast show since the radio station launched in 2000, cutting back his hours in 2020 and now primarily hosts on Thursdays and Fridays. In 2004 he was famously dismissed from the station after failing to turn up for his show following a day out at the Cheltenham Festival, but was back on air soon after. Five years ago he was forced to take a break while he had a heart operation and said before his return: '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. ' In 2024 he laughed off suggestions that overindulging at the Cheltenham Festival had caused him to miss another show, saying: '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. There's a lot of walking about needs done here with so many people to meet. '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 and it just wears you down for this which is a long week. Brazil pictured enjoying a visit to the Cheltenham Festival in 2024 'So the bottom line is that I am fine - I'm really good. Tales that I was drinking too much yesterday are just a load of nonsense, a load of nonsense, a load of nonsense. It's got nothing to do with booze. I just had a few pints of Guinness yesterday with some great company. I'm fine, apart from this limp. 'It's not bad publicity. I missed a day and it is my fault. I don't have to say sorry to the bosses. I'm not saying I'm too big for that (saying sorry). I'm not too big to say sorry to the bosses. ' Later that year he had to make an early exit from a special live broadcast of the show in Suffolk on his birthday due to what a talk SPORT colleague described as a '48hr virus'. The former forward started his football career at Ipswich Town in 1976 and later had spells at Tottenham and Manchester United in the 1980s. He won 13 caps for Scotland - representing them at the 1982 World Cup in Spain - but struggled with back issues towards the end of his career. talk SPORT station later confirmed in a statement: 'Alan Brazil was feeling unwell during today’s talk SPORT Breakfast show and came off air after 8am. Gabby Agbonlahor and Katie Shanahan presented the remainder of the programme. 'Alan is doing OK, and will be back on talk SPORT shortly. We wish him a speedy recovery. '
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