Great news! Brave George’s back after new cancer fight
THE BBC said last night it was “delighted” to welcome back George Alagiah after a cancer battle forced him off the air.
The former foreign correspondent, 63, who presented BBC News At Six for more than 10 years, has been receiving treatment for bowel cancer since 2014 and last read the headlines in December of 2017.
But a now-bearded Alagiah returned to the News At Six anchorman’s chair last night.
The BBC said: “Everyone is delighted to see George back in the studio where he belongs.”
Colleague Sophie Raworth tweeted, alongside a picture, that the presenter was “back with a beard”.
Alagiah responded: “There goes my hopes of slipping back into the studio unnoticed! Thanks to all for good wishes.
“We’ve got the cancer in a holding pattern so it’s back to work with colleagues I respect and the viewers who make it worthwhile.” Sri Lankan-born Alagiah underwent 17 rounds of chemotherapy to treat his advanced cancer in 2014.
He returned to presenting duties in 2015, saying he was a “richer person” following his prolonged battle.
But his cancer returned in December 2017 and he had further treatment.
He said at the time: “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 around how important the support of family and friends is and I am blessed in that department.” Last March, Alagiah, who also works on the BBC’s World News Today, said a different screening service, available in Scotland, could have detected his cancer sooner and helped his treatment.