Alan Brazil explains talkSPORT breakfast no-show that forced emergency presenter to step in for Cheltenham coverage

ALAN BRAZIL has set the record straight on why he missed his talkSPORT presenting shift on the final day of Cheltenham.

The former Spurs and Manchester United forward, 64, was absent from the show with none other than Virgin Radio’s Chris Evans forced to step in during his absence.

Paul Edwards - The Sun

Alan Brazil has told listeners why he was absent from Gold Cup coverage[/caption]

Brazil has been talkSPORT’s most iconic presenter since he joined the station back in 2000 to present their breakfast show.

The station have never made secret of Brazil’s love of a tipple, and have often made light of his booze related absences.

But his failure to present Friday’s show wasn’t down to alcohol according to the man himself.

Brazil told The Mail: “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.”

He reiterated: “All this drinking too much is a load of nonsense. I mean that, it’s 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.”

He paid tribute to Evans and talkSPORT reporter Shebahn Aherne for filling in during his absence, saying: “They were fine on the show this morning.

“Shebahn is good. She got her big chance, so that was good. So respect. I love all that.”

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He also confirmed that he did not need to apologise to his bosses, saying everything was all in hand.

Brazil said: “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.”

He was also tracked down by one of his talkSPORT colleagues on Friday at Cheltenham and asked about his absence.

The Scot said: “Listen, I was just cream crackered, really, really tired. You might say I’ve overdone it, but we did come down Sunday. Normally, I just do Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, but this week it was Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday.

“There were some fancy odds with the bookies that I would miss Friday, and when you do your money in the first couple of days you’ve got to get it back, so I backed myself not to do the show today!

“I heard them today, slagging me off on the radio – don’t worry about that. I thought Shebahn did a great job as well.”