Legendary surgeon who carried out Britain’s first successful heart transplant dies

Sir Terence English transplanted a new heart into 52-year-old builder Keith Castle in landmark operation in 1979 despite fierce opposition

The pioneering surgeon who carried out the first successful heart transplant in Britain has died.

Sir Terence English transplanted a new heart into Keith Castle, a 52-year-old builder from London, despite fierce opposition. The landmark operation in 1979 was opposed by religious figures and others who were horrified that someone's heart could be cut out and given to someone else.

Sir Terence has died at the age of 93 but since his landmark procedure, around 9,000 patients have received lifesaving heart transplants in the UK. The world-renowned surgeon also supported the Mirror ’s historic campaign which had the law on organ donation changed to deem