Moore, who made 64 appearances for country in 1980s and 90s, thanks health professionals for saving his life

This article is more than 3 years old

This article is more than 3 years old

The former England rugby union player Brian Moore is recovering in hospital after having a heart attack.

The 55-year-old, whose international career ran from 1987 until 1995, revealed the news on his Twitter account on Saturday morning.

Moore, who played as a hooker for England, wrote:

Brian Moore (@brianmoore666) As this is starting to get out- I'm in ICU of St George's having suffered heart attack. Thanks to the professionals who saved my life.

He made 64 appearances for England and went on to become a television pundit, newspaper columnist and author, often speaking to large audiences at leading UK literary festivals such as Hay, Words by the Water, Ways With Words, Salisbury and Wimbledon Book Fest.

As a rugby player, Moore was known for reading parts of Shakespeare’s Henry V to team-mates in the England dressing room before games. In 1991 he was voted Rugby World Player of the Year.



Facebook Twitter Pinterest Moore celebrates victory over the French in the Rugby World Cup in Paris in 1991. Photograph: Chris Smith/Popperfoto/Popperfoto/Getty Images

Born in Birmingham, he grew up in Halifax, West Yorkshire, after his mother gave him up for adoption at seven months. His Malaysian father abandoned the family before he was born.



The Rugby Football Union tweeted: “Wishing [Moore] a speedy recovery. Get well soon Brian.”