Boycott ‘in high spirits’ after having quadruple heart bypass at age of 77
GEOFFREY Boycott was recovering last night after a quadruple heart bypass.
The cricket broadcaster and former England captain, 77, remained in high spirits after the operation, his family said.
His daugher Emma, 30, announced on Twitter that he had spent ten days in hospital in Leeds following the surgery last month.
She added: ‘The surgeon says the operation was a success and has now allowed him home to recover.’
His friend and BBC Test Match Special presenter Jonathan Agnew said Boycott – known for his methodical, plodding innings – was feeling upbeat and joked that it was his wife Rachael who would be suffering as his nurse.
He wrote: ‘I went to visit the old so and so this morning and can confirm that he’s in rude health and will probably outlive all of us. My sympathy lies with Rachael, who has to nurse him! Great to see you looking so well, Fiery. Treat this convalescence like one of your innings....SLOW.’
Boycott responded to wellwishers online in his inimitable style. One asked: ‘ Shouldn’t you be resting Geoff?’ to which he said: ‘I am resting – Emma’s typing!’
Another told Boycott: ‘Glad it’s been a success. For once you’ll have to do as you’re told so we get you back on BBC TMS as soon as possible.’
The ex-Yorkshire opening batsman replied: ‘I’ve always done as I’m told, I just saw it differently sometimes!’
Boycott, who hit 22 centuries in his 108 Tests during an 18-year England career, has had plenty of health scares Legend: Boycott in action in 1980s over the years. At the age of ten, he had to have his spleen removed following an accident. In 2002, he was diagnosed with cancer of the tongue. He and Rachael then chose to live between Jersey and South Africa so he could recuperate in warmer climes.
But while in South Africa doctors found he had an AV fistula, an abnormal connection between a vein and artery, that required radiotherapy.
Five years ago, the son of a miner returned to Yorkshire to be closer to his family. He and Rachael – whom he married in 2003 after an on- off relationship – moved into a mansion down the road from the terrace house where he grew up with his two brothers.
Boycott scored more than 8,000 Test runs during his career, before he became known for his acerbic commentary. Theresa May has described herself as the ‘Geoffrey Boycott of politics’ because he ‘stuck in there and got on with the job’. Last year she accused Boycott of stealing her Tupperware when she baked brownies on a visit to the TMS commentary box.
In return, Boycott sent her a whole set, complete with gold labels reading ‘Property of Theresa May’.
‘He’s in rude health’