Explorer Sir Sir Ranulph Fiennes has been announced as the British Heart Foundation's latest Research Ambassador.

Fiennes was first made aware of the charity when he suffered a heart attack in 2003 and underwent an emergency heart bypass performed by Gianni Angelini, BHF Professor of Cardiac Surgery at Bristol Heart Institute. He commented 'Seeing the research that could one day help other heart patients was wonderful. There have been huge steps since I was in Professor Angelini's care. The fact that they are trying to grow parts, which one day may be used to help repair babies' hearts - you can't believe it'.