BBC newsreader George Alagiah has died

BBC newsreader George Alagiah has died on the age of 67, his agent has mentioned.

The Sri Lanka-born journalist – the face of BBC One’s News At Six since 2007 – was recognized in 2014 with stage 4 bowel most cancers, which had spread to his liver and lymph nodes.

He endured two rounds of chemotherapy and several other operations, together with the elimination of most of his liver.

In October 2015 he introduced his remedy was over and returned to BBC News At Six on 10 November.

Alagiah joined the BBC in 1989 and spent a few years as one of many company’s main overseas correspondents earlier than shifting to presenting.

In a press release, his agent Mary Greenham mentioned: “I am so terribly sorry to inform you that George Alagiah died peacefully today, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

“George fought till the bitter finish however sadly that battle ended earlier as we speak.

“George was deeply loved by everybody who knew him, whether it was a friend, a colleague or a member of the public. He simply was a wonderful human being.

“My ideas are with Fran, the boys and his wider household.”

‘One of the very best and bravest journalists of his technology’

BBC director-general Tim Davie mentioned: “George was one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from across the world as well as presenting the news flawlessly.

“He was extra than simply an impressive journalist, audiences may sense his kindness, empathy and fantastic humanity. He was liked by all and we’ll miss him enormously.”

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer tweeted: “Deeply saddened by the news of George Alagiah’s passing.

“A much-loved face of BBC News for decades, George will also be remembered for his brilliant, fearless journalism as foreign correspondent. He rightly won awards for his evocative, boundary-pushing reporting.

“British journalism has misplaced a expertise. My ideas are along with his household and family members.”

The BBC’s world affairs editor John Simpson said: “Deeply, deeply sorry to listen to about expensive George Alagiah.

“A gentler, kinder, more insightful and braver friend and colleague would be hard to find. I loved having his company in the BBC World Affairs Unit, and his progress after that was a pleasure to watch.”

Podcast host Jon Sopel, former North America editor of BBC News, mentioned: “Tributes will rightly be paid to a fantastic journalist and brilliant broadcaster – but George was the most decent, principled, kindest, most honourable man I have ever worked with. What a loss.”

Sky News presenter Mark Austin mentioned: “This breaks my heart. A good man, a rival on the foreign correspondent beat but above all a friend.

“If good journalism is about empathy, and it usually is, George Alagiah had it in spades. He understood injustice and the ability of excellent reporting to focus on it, if not right it.”

An illustrious profession as a print reporter, creator, overseas correspondent and presenter

Alagiah first started internet hosting the 6pm news bulletin in early 2003, however stepped as much as entrance it solo 4 years later following the departure of his co-host, Natasha Kaplinsky.

He was beforehand a distinguished overseas correspondent, usually as a specialist in Africa with protection of civil wars in Somalia and Liberia, in addition to the genocide in Rwanda 20 years in the past.

Throughout his profession, he interviewed central political figures, amongst them former South African president Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and ex-Zimbabwean chief Robert Mugabe.

Before becoming a member of the BBC, Alagiah labored as a print journalist and went on to jot down plenty of books together with A Home From Home, which checked out what it means to be British.

Throughout his illustrious profession, he additionally introduced different exhibits equivalent to Mixed Britannia, wanting on the UK’s mixed-race inhabitants.

He was made an OBE within the 2008 New Year Honours.

Battle with most cancers

Alagiah’s most cancers returned in December 2017 and he underwent additional remedy earlier than once more returning to work.

He took one other break from studio duties in October 2021 to take care of an additional unfold of most cancers, earlier than returning in April 2022.

Alagiah introduced he was taking a break from presenting the BBC’s News At Six in October final yr following one other scan.

He spoke brazenly about residing with most cancers, becoming a member of a videocast for the charity Bowel Cancer UK in 2020 wherein he mentioned he generally felt he had the “easy part” – residing with bowel most cancers whereas his family members needed to watch.

“Those of us living with cancer know that it affects our families almost as much as ourselves,” he mentioned.

“In some ways, I’ve felt through my six-plus years living with cancer that sometimes I have the easy part… my job is just to stay fit and my family has got to watch all of the other things.”

Alagiah is survived by his spouse, Frances Robathan, and two kids.