Alagiah: My cancer is back (but I’ll keep hosting BBC news)
NEWSREADER George Alagiah has revealed that his bowel cancer has returned – just over two years after he was cleared of the disease.
But the father-of-two, who has been the face of the BBC’s News at Six since 2007, will continue to present the programme despite the recurrence.
Yesterday Alagiah, 62, tweeted: ‘Always knew cancer could come back but still tough dealing with disappointment.
‘Harder for my family. I know what I have to do: stay calm, stay content, stay fit and let doctors do their best.’
He added: ‘My brilliant doctors are determined to get me back to a disease-free state and I know they have the skill to do just that. I learned last time how important the support of family and friends is and I am blessed in that department.
‘I genuinely feel positive as I prepare for this new challenge.’
Paul Royall, editor of the BBC News at Six, confirmed Alagiah would be continuing at work for the time being following the recurrence. Yesterday, hours before Alagiah presented the News at Six, Royall wrote on Twitter: ‘Cancer treatment starts soon. Total pro – one of the best and kindest in the business.’
The Sri Lankan-born journalist was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2014. He underwent tests after noticing blood in his stools, and a colonoscopy found a tumour.
The cancer spread to his liver and lymph nodes but was eradicated by extensive treatment, including three major operations. He returned to the BBC after being cleared of the disease in November 2015.
The newsreader has been married to Frances Robathan, who works for the Fairtrade Foundation, for 33 years. They met while at Durham University and have two adult children, Adam, 30, and Matt, 26.
His BBC colleagues rallied round to offer their support last night.
His studio director Chris Cook said: ‘You are loved and respected massively in this newsroom and we are all rooting for you.’
Radio 4 presenter Nick Robinson told the Daily Mail: ‘George is living proof of the fact that whilst you can’t control what happens to you, you can control how you react to it. His reaction to the return of his cancer has been characteristically calm, composed and, above all, considerate to those who will now embark on another painful journey with him.’
Alagiah joined the BBC in 1989 and had previously worked as a foreign correspondent, covering civil wars in Somalia and Liberia as well as the Rwandan genocide in 1994. He was made an OBE in the 2008 New Year’s Honours.
A BBC spokesman said: ‘Everyone at the BBC sends George and his family their best wishes as he undergoes treatment.’