Rageh ‘wasn’t well’ night before he fell ill on air

ITV is facing scrutiny over its duty of care to Rageh Omaar after suggestions he had appeared ill the night before he struggled during a news bulletin.

Viewers were left concerned for the News At Ten host on Friday after he began to slur his words and his left eye started to droop towards the end of the show.

Afterwards, Mr Omaar, 56, pictured, was taken to hospital by ambulance before being released the following day.

ITV bosses said the programme team had tried to replace him when they realised there was a problem but that Mr Omaar insisted on remaining on air.

However, questions have now been raised as to whether more should have been done to protect him as former ITV News presenter Nicholas Owen revealed that they were warning signs beforehand.

Mr Owen told GB News yesterday: ‘Of course I can identify with what happened – I know Rageh very well and he is a very distinguished correspondent and great presenter. You just want to finish the job if you sit in that chair where millions of people and more are watching you and listening to you.’

But he added: ‘Apparently he wasn’t terribly well the previous night, so perhaps my dear colleagues – and I worked at ITV for many years very, very happily – perhaps they might have stepped in and just insisted he step back.’ There were also calls on social media for television regulator Ofcom to investigate ITV’s treatment of the Somalia-born presenter.

In a statement released at the weekend, Mr Omaar said: ‘I would like to thank everyone for their kindness and good wishes, especially all the medical staff, all my wonderful colleagues at ITV News, and our viewers who expressed concern.

‘At the time, I was determined to finish presenting the programme. I am grateful for all the support I’ve been given.’