If I had three feet, I'd have them in Asia, Africa and Europe. "Illness sometimes teaches a person the real worth of life." 'Im not too scared for myself, but Im here on the third floor of our house. The famous British journalist makes a decent money from his career. Further scans showed that the cancerous cells spread to his lymph nodes along with his liver. Alagiah was born in Colombo, Ceylon on 22 November 1955. The 66-year-old newsreader was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014 but carried on working until 2021 when he took a short break from the airwaves. I respect the gentleness with which my dad nursed my mother before she died in 1996. George Alagiah: Cancer will probably get me in the end [8] Before becoming a presenter, he was Developing World correspondent, based in London, and then Southern Africa correspondent in Johannesburg. Although the familys former home had been demolished, he recognized an old well where he had played with his sisters, despite the fact that the well had been ruined. As well as presenting the news, Alagiah has worked as a BBC News foreign correspondent and specialist on Africa and the developing world, covering events including the Rwandan genocide and interviewing Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. Alagiah gained huge fame after working for BBC in 1989. The novel is described as a thrilling, fast-paced thriller set in South Africa involving corruption and homicide.. George is the son of Donald Alagiah, an engineer, and Therese. [19] A statement from the BBC said: "He is grateful for all the good wishes he has received thus far and is optimistic for a positive outcome." By George Alagiah - Book Series In Order By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. After 18 months of fighting with colorectal cancer, George must have wondered if he would ever returnto his old life and the job he loves most. If I were their age, I'd like to be their friend. George Alagiah takes TV break after cancer spreads - BBC News BBC NEWS | In Depth | Migration: 'A force of history' My mother was the realist. The 66-year-old newsreader, who was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014, announced he was taking a break from his presenting duties in October last year. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. A Passage to Africa is Alagiah's shattering catalogue of atrocities crafted into a portrait of Africa that is infused with hope, insight, and outrage. [15] The book is described as a "gripping, pacy thriller about corruption and homicide in South Africa". ", Alagiah takes break from TV for cancer treatment, George Alagiah reveals his cancer has spread, George Alagiah's debut novel up for author's award, Alagiah 'overwhelmed' by viewers' support, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, The children left behind in Cuba's mass exodus, Xi Jinping's power grab - and why it matters, Snow, Fire and Lights: Photos of the Week. My parents were unconventional for Tamil parents they married for love, educated all their children the same and gave us a lot of freedom but there was still that strain of traditionalism. He returned to presenting duties the following year after making progress against the disease, saying at the time he was a 'richer person' for it. Having spent 14 years delivering the nation the latest headlines, most recently, Alagiah has made headlines himself after he . For the next decade, he was a foreign correspondent, including a spell based in Johannesburg, winning a Royal Television Society award in 1993, and a Bafta in 2000. There seemed something so powerful in a new life entering the world while another, mine, was so compromised. View our online Press Pack. Moreover, there are ho rumors or controversies about the couple that leads into their separation or divorce. George Alagiah has announced he is returning to the BBC's News At Six tonight after "months of treatment". The globe looks different depending on where youre standing: George Alagiah. Alagiah is happily married to Frances Robathan. He spent a decade as the corporation's foreign correspondent, winning a Baftafor his coverage of the Kosovo conflict in 2000. By It is really important for me to know that, when my eyes shut, it is only going to be for a little while and that another day will start., Are there ever darker moments, like when he had hoped the cancer had gone but then it returned? BBC newsreader George Alagiah has said he feels 'lucky' for the life he has lived even though cancer will 'probably get me in the end'. George Alagiah reflects on cancer journey alongside Sheridan Smith. George was a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation from 2002 to 2009. George Alagiah has confirmed he'll be back on BBC News tonight following months of cancer treatment. [6] He has four sisters. The journalist and Sheridan Smith are among those who have. Since 3 December 2007, he has been the presenter of BBC News at Six and was previously the main presenter of GMT on BBC World News since its launch . At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. How old is George Alagiah? She even waited until my birthday to arrive. And if you, or someone you know, have been affected by cancer, information and support is available on the BBC's Action Line page. He continues: 'The thing about bowel cancer is, it is all about poo and bums and people dont like talking about them. Alagiah has been married to wife Frances, a former executive with the Fairtrade Foundation charity, for more than 30 years after the couple, who have two sons in their thirties, met at. Discover George Alagiah's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Frances has never bothered about her kids as they love to follow in their father's footsteps. Asked if the cancer has spread to his spine, he says: 'I dont know if it is into my spine. [5] He lives in Stoke Newington, North London. He began his journalistic career in 1982 on the international magazine South, becoming its Africa editor, before joining the BBC seven years later. The BBC received complaints from members of the public who were upset that Alagiah had been asked to resign. Aged 11, I got sent to a Catholic boarding school in Portsmouth. You can't do that in a terraced house. His appearances at literary festivals include Cheltenham, Keswick, Hay-on-Wye and London, and he has spoken at the Royal Geographical Society, the Royal Society of Arts and at the Royal Overseas League. Before that, Alagiah was the deputy anchor of the BBC One O'Clock News and BBC Nine O'Clock News from 1999. My granddaughter's birth was a spiritual experience. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2008 New Year Honours. "You're allowed to scream.you're allowed to crybut do not give up". His agent said at the time that he was dealing with a further spread of the . His father Donald Alagiah is a former engineer and mother Therese Alagiah is a house wife. Her sons always made their family feel like a sober family and make them complete. BBC newsreader George Alagiah, 66, last night said his bowel cancer was going to 'find a way through the drugs sooner or later' after announcing the disease had spread further. They might have worried that their brother was a bit girly: I don't know if I should admit this but I used to sew clothes for their Barbie dolls. George Alagiah steps back from presenting BBC News at Six after scans If the full stop came now, would my life have been a failure? He joined the BBC Six OClock News in January 2003, co-presenting it with Sophie Raworth until October 2005, and then with Natasha Kaplinsky until October 2007. The 64-year-old BBC News At Six presenter is undergoing further treatment after doctors found cancer had now spread from his bowel to his liver, lymph nodes and lungs. When he was six, his parents moved to Ghana, West Africa to avoid persecution. Now, though, it is lasting longer, so I may go into the studio [he is due to broadcast on the two days following our interview] with the issues with the ulcers., There are some days, he confides, when he wakes up feeling s---. During an interview with The Sunday Times in 2018, George said that his cancer was curable and could be discovered earlier. So, I understand it, but Im afraid I no longer have it. He thinks for a moment. I dont like it and Ive managed to wean myself off them. He looks slim and perfect this time. Family: He married Frances Robathan in 1984 and they had two children. The BBC turned me down three times at the start of my career, and Im grateful. George Alagiah will be taking a break from presenting duties as he deals with "a further spread of cancer", his agent has said. I find the "men versus women" thing difficult to understand because I've never seen them as different. Why Alex Murdaugh was spared the death penalty, Why Trudeau is facing calls for a public inquiry, The shocking legacy of the Dutch 'Hunger Winter'. That day, it was OK. Alagiah told her he would ring back, that the most important thing was to rush home and tell family. The couple, who have two sons in their thirties, met at university. Find out more, George Alagiah: You cant get a cancer diagnosis without knowing about Macmillan because they are everywhere, George presenting from Cairo during the Egyptian revolution, George was a familiar sight on our screens as a BBC newsreader, Project Fear authors discussed when to deploy new Covid variant, Matt Hancock's plan to frighten the pants off everyone about Covid, Rishi Sunak has questions to answer on the true nature of his Protocol deal, The dreadful consequences of Matt Hancock's lockdown scare tactics, Rishi Sunak's Brexit deal is more threadbare than reckless Tories will admit, Trump gets rapturous reception at major US Republican conference, knowing about Macmillan because they are everywhere. Thats the one we are watching.'. His doctors agreed for a second dose of radiotherapy on the tumour near his back, deciding that the potential gains outweighed the risk of side effects. But there is uncertainty, he says, over whether it may have to change. BBC newsreader George Alagiah to take a break from presenting 'due to The popular journalist George suffered a lot but his wife and family were always by his side. He is the third born. George Alagiah captures the essence of the emerging global village. But wouldn't it be amazing if the kids could go across a hallway and do their homework with him? Im not too scared for myself, but Im here on the third floor of our house, he says, almost over his shoulder. 'More importantly, it is sitting very close to the nerve and the aorta. 195 ratings27 reviews As a five-year-old, George Alagiah emigrated with his family to Ghanathe first African country to attain independence from the British Empire. @SchoolsWeek. The duo tied the knot in 1984 and they have two sons, Adam Alagiah and Matthew Alagiah. George Alagiah has revealed he has a 'tumour site' at the base of his back and has spent 18 months in 'extreme pain' - as he opens up on an eight-year battle with bowel cancer. George Aliagiah is a British journalist, news reader and television news presenter. He began his career as a newsreader for BBC News at Six (1984) in 2003, and went on to become a well-known face of BBC news, hosting shows such as BBC News at Ten (2000) and BBC One OClock News (1986), among others.