The broadcaster, 64, on racism, impartiality and surviving cancer. Up to when I was six, we lived in Sri Lanka, then my father got a job for the government in Ghana. On April 17, 2014, George was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and was treated for it. The latest breaking news, comment and features from The Independent. There is a Tamil proverb where a father waits for the day when he walks into a room and people say: this is So-and-So's father. Yes and no. Both of their sons, Adam and Matthews are adults. George Alagiah interviews Stacey Heale from Southampton, whose husband Greg has bowel cancer, along with the charity's former Chief Executive, Deborah Alsina MBE, on what it's like caring for a loved one with the disease. On my wife's side, somebody asked my father-in-law, who was a country lawyer: "Is this Ala-whatsit educated?". The couple tied the knot in the year 1984 and they have happily lived together to date. In a casual pink and orange T-shirt, he is sitting in the family picture-lined top-floor office of his large and attractively lived-in north London home, shared with his wife of 38 years, former charity worker (at the Fairtrade Foundation) Frances Robathan. He began his journalistic career in 1982 on the international magazine South, becoming its Africa editor, before joining the BBC seven years later. One of the things I want to do is hold hands with my wife until the end, and am I going to be able to do that? She even waited until my birthday. A specialist on Africa and the developing world, Alagiah has interviewed, among others, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan and President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. George Alagiah is a British newsreader and journalist who joined the BBC in 1989, working as a reporter and correspondent. ', "And actually, when I look back and I looked at my journey the family I had, the opportunities my family had, the great good fortune to bump into (Frances Robathan), who's now been my wife and lover for all these years, the kids that we brought up it didn't feel like a failure.". If I were their age, I'd like to be their friend. Since 2010 he has been the host and presenter on GMT. My family home was a very Catholic home. George Alagiah has described the challenge of getting his cancer diagnosis 'straight in his head' when he was told he was dying. BBC newsreader George Alagiah announced in October 2021 he is taking a break from presenting, after his cancer spread further.His wife Frances Robatha . ', "And actually, when I look back and I looked at my journey the family I had, the opportunities my family had, the great good fortune to bump into (Frances Robathan), who's now been my wife and lover for all these years, the kids that we brought up it didn't feel like a failure.". [5] In 1961, his parents moved to Ghana in West Africa, where he had his primary education at Christ the King International School. George said in a March 2018 interview with The Sunday Times that his cancer was terminal and that it could have been identified earlier if the screening program in England, which is automatically offered from the age of 60, was the same as the one in Scotland, which is offered from the age of 50. Alagiah revealed in June 2020 that his cancer had spread to his lungs, liver, and lymph nodes. The BBC presenter reflected in an interview about his career and marriage of 37 years. He was formerly a relief presenter on BBC News at Ten, presenting mainly Monday to Thursday when main presenters Huw Edwards and Fiona Bruce were unavailable. Moreover, George has been the sole presenter of the Six OClock News since December 3, 2007. He spent a decade as the corporation's foreign correspondent, winning a Baftafor his coverage of the Kosovo conflict in 2000. When talking about being recognised as a celebrity, George said his sons keep him down to earth. Alagiah also spoke of the one encounter he had with BBC podcast presenter Dame Deborah James, who died aged 40 following a five-year battle with bowel cancer in June. George Alagiah has shared his belief his diet may have something to do with him first being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014. "He is grateful for all the good wishes he has received thus far and is optimistic for a positive outcome.". And what a wonderful village this can be, if only all of us global citizens realise the positive energy this can unleash. I dont think I would have had it if I had not been living with cancer, and been in a position where I had to think if I have one year, or two years, how do I navigate myself through that., He now goes through a small ritual every evening as he goes to bed. Alagiah gained huge fame after working for BBC in 1989. , updated His current regime is low doses for around three quarters of the year, and higher doses for the rest of the time. Copyright 2021, All Right Reserved MARRIEDCELEB. "I spent a lot of my time in Africa, and in South Africa they have a word: Ubuntu. I am absolutely convinced that those things that keep you content and in the present and not thinking tomorrow the pain is going to be worse, are not just useful but are proven to work. Carrying on working is a part of that, he says, just as lying on the lawn or a beach with my granddaughters [he has three, to whom he is devoted] is also a part of that., He seems to be saying that cancer has changed him, and not always in bad ways. The globe looks different depending on where youre standing. George Alagiah is 65 years of age. 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'. He is married to Frances Robathan, with whom he has two sons. Before joining BBC, he served for seven years in print journalism with South Magazine. When he was six, his parents moved to Ghana, West Africa to avoid persecution. ", 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. Both of which are significant. The couple has two kids Adam and Matt together. George Aliagiah is married to his wife Frances Robathan. Till date, Alagiah has written four books. ", "When the oncologist was looking at my scan, he kept gently shaking his head, and every time he did it was like a hammer blow. View our online Press Pack. 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. For other inquiries, Contact Us. You have to work that out for yourself.". [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." The thing about bowel cancer is, it is all about poo and bums and people dont like talking about them. Im hoping its a long time from now, but Im very lucky.. 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? Initially became editor of the student newspaper Palatinate. George Alagiah said his life and family "didn't feel like a failure" BBC newsreader George Alagiah has said he thinks the cancer he has had since 2014 will "probably get me in the end", but that . She even waited until my birthday to arrive. Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. We would end the day by sitting around saying the rosary. 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. There seemed something so powerful in a new life entering the world while another, mine, was so compromised. George Alagiah was born in Sri Lanka to parents Donald and Therese Alagiah on November 22, 1955. BBC newsreader George Alagiah has said he thinks the cancer he has had since 2014 will "probably get me in the end", but that he still feels "very lucky". George Alagiah: It took me a long time to feel comfortable in my Britishness. Last thing, I ask myself, Georgie, are you going to be around tomorrow? And I always say, yes I am. By the time it came to me, they just wanted good people. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. More importantly, it is sitting very close to the nerve and the aorta. The two of them met and fell in love while students at Durham University at a time when mixed-race relationships were, he has said, certainly less common back then, though not unique. Moreover, there are ho rumors or controversies about the couple that leads into their separation or divorce. His parents moved to Ghana in West Africa in 1961. "There's this collective notion of life which I think we have lost. 'Ive been with people who treat me as they always did, who dont patronise me, and it is a tremendous fillip.'. I envy people who have faith. My own cells, and they have gone Awol but he has never wanted to hide away or turn his back on the job he has been doing all his adult life. In the showers, the other boys with tan-lines made jokes about how I was brown all over. George and his partner are living together since thirty four years and still seems to be happy and caring for each other. Frances went to Durham University, where she met her husband. I've got the cancer still. [6] The family's former home had been destroyed, but he was able to recognise an old well where he had played with his sisters, although the well was unsalvageable. It was a gathering full of passion and joy, but tinged with the realisation that some of us were more vulnerable than others. One brother-in-law died last year, another has pancreatic cancer. No one uses the d-word. And my second sister married in a registry office. He has hosted World News Today on BBC World News and BBC Two from 3 July 2006, when it was relaunched GMT on 1 February 2010. Its almost meditative.. For more updates and current gossip of celebs visit our official page. 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 university. 'More importantly, it is sitting very close to the nerve and the aorta. [23][24], In March 2018, in an interview with The Sunday Times, Alagiah noted that his cancer was terminal and could have been caught earlier if the screening programme in England, which is automatically offered from the age of 60, was the same as that in Scotland, where it is automatically offered from the age of 50. Sleep deprivation was an issue, but I dont want people to think I am feeling sorry for myself.. The 41-year-old who rose to fame starring in popular sitcoms The Royle Family, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps and . The TV journalist, 65, who regularly . George's Photo George Alagiah Wife Alagiah has spoken at the Royal Geographical Society, the Royal Society of Arts, and the Royal Overseas League, as well as at literary festivals in Cheltenham, Hay-on-Wye, and London, Keswick. Amid the economic collapse, there is a widespread sense of how did this happen. He has been on chemotherapy almost constantly since 2014 though with a 15-month break when the cancer appeared to have gone. Usually by about a week later it is beginning to be better. He has been married to Frances Robathan for over 30 years. He learned to bake cakes for the grandchildren and was really sweet with her. The famous British journalist is a married man. George is currently serving as a main relief presenter for BBC Ten O'Clock News. It's the idea that I'm only human if I recognise the humanity in you. "I don't think I'm going to be able to get rid of this thing. 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. As of 2019, George's total net worth is estimated to be $3 million, which is more than another BBC journalist Susannah Streeter, whose net worth is still under review. He was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer- the most advanced stage, where cancer, has spread from its original site. George Alagiah will be taking a break from presenting duties as he deals with "a further spread of cancer", his agent has said. His wider family had a reunion recently, all four sisters, most of my nieces and nephews. Video, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, Harry: I feared losing memories of mum during therapy, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Alex Murdaugh's legal troubles are far from over, Walkie Talkie architect Rafael Violy dies aged 78, Saving Private Ryan actor Tom Sizemore dies at 61. 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. A persistent change in bowel habit - going more often, with looser stools and sometimes tummy pain, Blood in the stools without other symptoms, such as piles, Abdominal pain, discomfort or bloating always brought on by eating - sometimes resulting in a reduction in the amount of food eaten and weight loss. He looks slim and perfect this time. Alagiah first met his spouse during his days in the Univerisity. He adds that there are days where he wakes up 'feeling like s**t' and can have a 'energy collapse'. His wife Frances Robathan has supported him on his journey to fight the disease. George Alagiah and Frances Robathan have two children - Adam, 34, and Matthew, 30. "Illness sometimes teaches a person the real worth of life." As an immigrant child I mentally parcelled up all the things that made me different. He was previously a relief presenter on BBC News at Ten, filling in for regular presenters Fiona Bruce and Huw Edwards when they were absent. Of course I wish I never had this disease, but Im not sure Id give these six years back. Had it happened 10 seconds later, I would have been blown up with it. However, he was forced to leave in July 2009 due to a professional conflict of interest, according to BBC management. And then there were people saying, come and help us with the campaign. "You're allowed to scream.you're allowed to crybut do not give up". His father worked as an engineer in Ghana, before the newsreader was sent to boarding school in Portsmouth aged 11. He was born November 22, 1955 in Colombo, Ceylon. After global riots in 2007 and 2008, George Alagiah travelled the world to reveal why we could be heading for . 2023 BBC. That is clearly nonsense. There have been times when even lying down makes it worse., There was a period last year, he says, when he was getting four straight hours sleep a night and counting himself lucky. There isn't much information available about Adam, but Matt is the Editor-in-Chief of @itsnicethat. I call it getting comfort. British journalist and reader of BBC News at Six, George Alagiah has declared that he would be taking time off from his presenting duties after it was discovered through a scan that his bowel cancer has spread.

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