BBC newsreader George Alagiah has died | UK News

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 Information 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 removing of most of his liver.

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

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

In an announcement, his agent Mary Greenham mentioned: “I’m so terribly sorry to tell you that George Alagiah died peacefully as we speak, surrounded by his household and family members.

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

“George was deeply cherished by everyone who knew him, whether or not it was a good friend, a colleague or a member of the general public. He merely was an exquisite human being.

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

BBC director-general Tim Davie mentioned: “George was probably the greatest and bravest journalists of his era who reported fearlessly from the world over in addition to presenting the information flawlessly.

“He was extra than simply an impressive journalist, audiences might sense his kindness, empathy and great humanity. He was cherished by all and we are going to miss him enormously.”

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

“A much-loved face of BBC Information for many years, George may also be remembered for his good, fearless journalism as international correspondent. He rightly received awards for his evocative, boundary pushing reporting.

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

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

“A gentler, kinder, extra insightful and braver good friend and colleague it could be onerous to search out. I cherished having his firm within the BBC World Affairs Unit, and his progress after that was a pleasure to look at.”

Sky Information presenter Mark Austin mentioned: “This breaks my coronary heart. A great man, a rival on the international correspondent beat however above all a good friend.

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

Alagiah first started internet hosting the 6pm information 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 outstanding international correspondent, typically 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.

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

Earlier than becoming a member of the BBC, Alagiah workied as a print journalist and went on to put in writing various books together with A House From House, which checked out what it means to be British.

All through his illustrious profession he additionally introduced different reveals comparable to Blended Britannia, wanting on the UK’s mixed-race inhabitants.

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

His most cancers returned in December 2017 and he underwent additional therapy earlier than once more returning to work.

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

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

Alagiah spoke overtly about residing with most cancers, becoming a member of a videocast for the charity Bowel Most cancers UK in 2020 during which he mentioned he generally felt he had the “simple half” – residing with bowel most cancers whereas his family members needed to watch.

“These of us residing with most cancers know that it impacts our households virtually as a lot as ourselves,” he mentioned.

“In some methods I’ve felt by way of my six-plus years residing with most cancers that generally I’ve the straightforward half… My job is simply to remain match and my household has received to look at the entire different issues.”