Clive Myrie emotional as he proclaims George Alagiah’s demise on BBC News
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BC newsreaders Clive Myrie and Naga Munchetty fought again tears as they delivered the news that their former “mentor, colleague and friend” George Alagiah has died aged 67.
The award-winning journalist, who introduced the BBC News At Six for the previous 20 years, died on Monday from bowel most cancers after being first recognized in 2014.
Broadcaster Myrie turned emotional as he paid tribute to Alagiah through the lunchtime BBC News broadcast, saying: “On a personal note, George touched all of us here in the newsroom with his kindness and generosity, his warmth and good humour.”
He added: “We loved him here at BBC News and I loved him as a mentor, colleague and friend.
“His spirit, strength and courage in the later years of his life is something his family can be so proud of. Journalism has lost a giant.”
Munchetty additionally turned choked up as she interrupted her reside present on BBC Radio 5 Live round noon to ship the news.
As her voice broke, she mentioned: “Apologies for the emotion in my voice – he was so loved in our newsroom.”
An announcement from his agent Mary Greenham saying the news, mentioned: “George fought until the bitter end but sadly that battle ended earlier today.
“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.”
Alagiah, who was born in Sri Lanka, continued to current for the BBC when he was not receiving therapy.
He joined the company in 1989 and spent a few years as one in every of its main overseas correspondents earlier than shifting to presenting.
He was usually a specialist in Africa and coated the 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.
He was nominated for a Bafta in 1994 for his protection of Saddam Hussein’s genocidal marketing campaign in opposition to the Kurds of northern Iraq and was named Amnesty International’s journalist of the 12 months in 1994 for reporting on the civil conflict in Burundi.
He 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.
Kaplinsky mentioned it was a “privilege” to be associates with Alagiah as she paid tribute.
“Goodbye dearest George. I will miss you so very much. It was such a privilege to be your friend”, she wrote on Instagram.
BBC director-general Tim Davie mentioned: “Across the BBC, we are all incredibly sad to hear the news about George. We are thinking of his family at this time.
“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 more than just an outstanding journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him enormously.”
Question Time presenter Fiona Bruce mentioned Alagiah was “that rare thing – a first-rate journalist and an all round lovely human being.”
She added: “Integrity and decency shone through him. That and a mischievous sense of humour with an endearing giggle.
“I remember his 60th birthday party, surrounded by his wonderful family and his glamorous sisters like so many birds of paradise. It was an intimate family affair and I know George counted his blessings to be there with the people he loved so much.
“He fought with all he had to stay with them as long as he could. We loved him in the newsroom and we – I – miss him so much.”
Nick Robinson, presenter of BBC Radio 4’s Today programme, paid tribute saying: “George was a brilliant journalist, a lovely man and an inspiring example to all fighting serious illness. His friends will miss him deeply.”
Broadcaster John Simpson mentioned: “A gentler, kinder, more insightful and braver friend and colleague it 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.”
Former BBC correspondent Jon Sopel added: “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.”
Labour chief Sir Keir Starmer mentioned he was “deeply saddened” by news of Alagiah’s demise.
He mentioned: “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 lost a talent. My thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
After his prognosis Alagiah endured two rounds of chemotherapy and several other operations, together with the elimination of most of his liver.
He returned to work after his therapy was over however the most cancers got here again and unfold resulting in breaks from the studio whereas he obtained therapy.
Appearing in a marketing campaign in support of Macmillan Cancer Support in 2022, talking in regards to the affect of his personal expertise of residing with stage 4 bowel most cancers, Alagiah mentioned: “People always ask me how I cope and it’s the hardest question…
“The challenge at first was getting my cancer diagnosis straight in my head – despite having so much going for me, a successful career and a loving family, here I was just being told I was dying.”
In a videocast for the charity Bowel Cancer UK in 2020 during which he mentioned he typically felt he had the “easy part”, residing with bowel most cancers whereas his family members needed to watch.
He mentioned: “Those of us living with cancer know that it affects our families almost as much as ourselves.
“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.”
The chief govt of Bowel Cancer UK paid tribute to Alagiah, describing him as a “huge advocate” of the charity since he shared his prognosis.
Genevieve Edwards mentioned in a press release to the PA news company: “He supported our campaign calling on the NHS to lower the bowel cancer screening age to 50, shared his experience of the disease to raise lifesaving awareness of the symptoms, as well as speaking to our wonderful supporters about living with advanced bowel cancer at events that have raised thousands of pounds for the charity.
“Most recently, he hosted our podcast – he gave not only his time but his phenomenal broadcasting skills, his incredible warmth and his personal insight into living with the disease. We will never forget how much of his precious time he gave to the charity and the kindness he showed to our supporters during a very difficult time in his life.”
Before becoming a member of the BBC, Alagiah labored as a print journalist and went on to jot down various books together with A Home From Home, which checked out what it means to be British.
Throughout his illustrious profession, he additionally introduced different reveals akin to Mixed Britannia, trying on the UK’s mixed-race inhabitants.
He was made an OBE within the 2008 New Year Honours.
He is survived by his spouse of 40 years, Frances Robathan, their two sons and three grandchildren.
Professor Peter Johnson, NHS England’s nationwide scientific director for most cancers, mentioned: “I am very sorry to hear that George Alagiah has died with bowel cancer and my thoughts are with his friends and family.
“Talking about cancer can save lives and that George was able to speak so openly and honestly about living with cancer will undoubtably make a difference to many others: I am very grateful that he felt able to do this.
“With all cancers, acting at the first sign of symptoms can make a big difference to how cancer can be treated, and as George often reminded people, it’s important to be aware of the symptoms of bowel cancer – so if you have noticed any changes such as blood in your poo, a change in bowel habits or pain and bloating – please do come forward for checks as soon as possible.”