Alan Brazil misses Breakfast Show at Cheltenham Festival – will he return for Gold Cup Day?

Alan Brazil’s complicated relationship with the Cheltenham Festival has taken yet another turn.

The beloved presenter was unable to fulfill his hosting duties on Thursday’s Breakfast Show.

talkSPORT

talkSPORT can confirm the big man is a wee bit unwell and we expect him back on the airwaves for Gold Cup Day.

Brazil successfully delivered his iconic programme live from Cheltenham on Tuesday before a pre-agreed rest day on Wednesday.

And he just needs a little more time to recuperate before returning for Friday’s big finale alongside Arsenal legend Ray Parlour.

That is the plan, at least.

Shebahn steps in

Luckily for us, Brazil’s compatriot Shebahn Aherne was on hand to step in for the second day in succession.

Opening the show at 6am, she said: “Surprise! You’re listening to talkSPORT Breakfast, it’s Shebahn Aherne in for Alan Brazil. He needs a little bit more rest today, don’t we all?

“But Alan will be back with you tomorrow morning, fit and firing for Gold Cup Day.”

Aston Villa legend Gabby Agbonlahor, who was co-hosting the show alongside Shebahn, was crossing his fingers.

“He’s a legend of Cheltenham,” Gabby said. “And the amount of people that will be excited to see him tomorrow, to hear him, all across the world.

“Hopefully he’s fine for the morning.”

We were also joined by ex-Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, whose horse The Jukebox Man is running in Friday’s Gold Cup.

A Cheltenham icon

Brazil and Cheltenham go hand-in-hand, like peanut butter and jelly, or sausages and brown sauce.

The 66-year-old can often be found holding court in the Guinness Tent – or meandering through the local Waitrose with his best pal Parlour.

His whereabouts have actually become part of the Festival’s cultural fabric.

In 2024, journalists frantically tried to track down Brazil after his missed the Breakfast Show on Gold Cup Day.

Last year, he did make the show, albeit after turning up late and blaming Parlour for leading him astray.

And so that brings us to Friday’s show. Will Brazil make it? Tune in at 6am to find out.

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