Director Robert Altman a heart-stopper

Robert Altman

Legendary film director Robert Altman revealed he was only alive to collect his lifetime achievement award thanks to a heart transplant he kept secret for over a decade.

"I always thought this kind of award meant that it was over," Altman, aged 81, said. "I'm here, I think, under false pretences. I think I have to become straight with you. Ten years ago, 11 years ago I had a heart transplant, a total heart transplant."

The director of movies including M*A*S*H, Gosford Park, Nashville and The Player said backstage he kept the transplant secret, fearing he would not be hired to work again. "I got the heart of, I think, a young woman who was in about in her late 30s. By that kind of calculation you may be giving this award too early because I think I've got about 40 years left," he said.