Tragically, 67-year-old BBC newsreader George Alagiah passed away from bowel cancer. The seasoned journalist underwent extensive treatment after receiving a diagnosis of the illness in 2014.
Following a break due to the spread of his cancer, George returned to the BBC News At Six last year. His agent has confirmed that he died peacefully today while being surrounded by family and friends.
“George fought valiantly, but sadly that battle ended earlier today,” she continued.
Everyone who knew George, whether they were friends, coworkers, or members of the public, adored him. Simply put, he was a wonderful person.
“Fran, the boys, and his extended family are on my mind,”
Tim Davie, the BBC president, has led the outpouring of tributes for the BBC News At Six presenter. As “one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from all over the world and presented the news flawlessly,” he praised the celebrity.
“He was more than just a superb journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy, and wonderful humanity,” the director-general continued. We all adored him, and we will miss him dearly.
Lankan by birth In April 2014, George received his initial stage four bowel cancer diagnosis. He underwent multiple surgeries, two rounds of chemotherapy, and the removal of most of his liver.
In November 2015, George bravely announced the end of his treatment and then bravely returned to BBC News At Six. Unfortunately, his cancer came back in December 2017, and he had additional treatment before going back to work.
Last year, when discussing his diagnosis, he said: “People constantly ask me how I cope, and it’s the hardest question…
“Getting my cancer diagnosis straight in my head at first was difficult because, despite having a successful career and a loving family, here I was just being told I was dying,” the patient said.
George spent his final months raising awareness of the illness and advising Brits to purchase test kits. After the illness spread to his lymph nodes in October 2021, he was forced to take yet another leave of absence.
George broke the news by stating, “A recent scan revealed that my cancer has spread further, so it’s back to some tough stuff.
“I long for my coworkers. Maintaining energy and motivation has been made possible in large part by working in the newsroom.
I eagerly anticipate returning to that studio as soon as I can. As a foreign correspondent for the BBC, George traveled the globe beginning in 1989.
He specialized in Africa, reporting on the 20-year-old genocide in Rwanda as well as the civil wars in Somalia and Liberia.
Along with talking to a variety of politicians, the unflappable journalist also conducted interviews with Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, and former Zimbabwean leader Robert Mugabe.
In 2003, George began his career as a presenter when he and Natasha Kaplinsky co-hosted the newscast at six o’clock.
When Natasha left the show in 2007, he took over as the solo frontman. George received an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honors.
The seasoned broadcaster is survived by his wife of 40 years, Fran, their two sons, and their three grandchildren.
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