I find the "men versus women" thing difficult to understand because I've never seen them as different. Aged 11, I got sent to a Catholic boarding school in Portsmouth. He also tested positive for COVID-19 . 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. And I am looking out of the window at Frances setting out the tablecloth on our garden table, and it occurs to me, is she going to have to do that for herself one day, and eat on her own?, The Telegraph values your comments but kindly requests all posts are on topic, constructive and respectful. My granddaughter's birth was a spiritual experience. 2023 BBC. George Alagiah was first diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in April 2014, which subsequently spread to his lungs, liver and lymph nodes. Both are sons, Adam Alagiah (23 years old) and Matthew Alagiah (19 years old). Read about our approach to external linking. 'Ive been with people who treat me as they always did, who dont patronise me, and it is a tremendous fillip.'. BBC News At Six popular anchor George Alagiah has announced that he is taking a break from presenting the channel's evening news bulletin after discovering his cancer has spread further, his . And I am looking out of the window at Frances setting out the tablecloth on our garden table, and it occurs to me, is she going to have to do that for herself one day, and eat on her own?'. If there was a time when they wanted us to marry Asians, that disappeared with my eldest sister's first marriage. My family home was a very Catholic home. Sexuality: N/A. It is an . [12][13] He has also been actively involved in supporting microfinance as a tool for development, including recent appearances in support of Opportunity International. And that becomes acute after three days of chemo. Further scans showed that the cancerous cells spread to his lymph nodes along with his liver. 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. Moreover, Alagiah served as the presenter of BBC Four News from 2002. Ive spent a lot of the last 18 months in extreme pain. There is clearly a private story that runs in parallel with the public appearances. When asked what piece of wisdom he would give, he spoke about the need for people to think more collectively. 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 globe looks different depending on where youre standing. Alagiah underwent 17 rounds of chemotherapy to treat his advanced bowel cancer in 2014 and said he was a "richer person" for it upon returning to presenting the following year. Alagiah was last seen on the show in 2014. BBC News BBC presenter George Alagiah will be taking a break from TV after discovering his cancer has spread further, his agent has said. It was a great relief, however, that the cancer was operable with a devastating twist. George Alagiah was born in Sri Lanka to parents Donald and Therese Alagiah on November 22, 1955. As a BBC presenter, he earned 315,000 319,999 in 2018-2019. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. George Alagiah (George Maxwell Alagiah) was born on 22 November, 1955 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a Journalist, News presenter, newsreader, author. On 17th April 2014, it was announced that George was under treatment for cancer. Yes and no. Moreover, he was sabbatical officer of Durham Students' Union. 'Im not too scared for myself, but Im here on the third floor of our house. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. Its really tough there now, he says, on the basis of regular conversations with cousins still in Sri Lanka. The BBC News at Six broadcaster, 66, was diagnosed with bowel . 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. That day, it was OK. Alagiah told her he would ring back, that the most important thing was to rush home and tell family. , updated The award-winning BBC news presenter talks about his ongoing eight-year struggle with cancer and the rejuvenating role of the workplace. Her sons always made their family feel like a sober family and make them complete. Best of BBC Future . Their second son Matthew Alagiah was born in 1991. George is currently serving as a main relief presenter for BBC Ten O'Clock News. His father worked as an engineer in Ghana, before the newsreader was sent to boarding school in Portsmouth aged 11. And that becomes acute after three days of chemo. Family of US . Furthermore, Alagiah was a member of the BBC crew that won a BAFTA award for its coverage of the Kosovo crisis in 2000. [8] Before becoming a presenter, he was Developing World correspondent, based in London, and then Southern Africa correspondent in Johannesburg. 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. The novel is described as a thrilling, fast-paced thriller set in South Africa involving corruption and homicide.. Alagiah has told of how he has undergone more than 100 rounds of chemotherapy since his first cancer diagnosis eight years ago and has been lucky to get four hours of sleep a night. George Alagiah's age is 67. Alagiah goes ahead to state that there was seeming to be a powerful thing in a new life entering the world while another which is his was getting compromised. I dont like it and Ive managed to wean myself off them. 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. George Alagiah The last time I came to Sri Lanka the journey from the international airport into the capital, Colombo, took more than three hours. There isn't much information available about Adam, but Matt is the Editor-in-Chief of @itsnicethat. 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. The duo is living a blissful conjugal life and is also blessed with two children; sons, Adam, 30, and Matt, 25. I see the injustice of whats happening in the US with the death of George Floyd. During his days at Durham, Alagiah was a writer and editor for the student newspaper titled palatinate. We had a mutual friend. His most popular book is A Home From Home: From Immigrant Boy to English Man. We didn't live as a family much after that except for six weeks' holiday a year. George grew up alongside his four siblings Mari, Christine, Rachel, and Jennifer. Today Id call what I experienced racism, but back then I didnt have that language. George has a grandaughter but we have no details about her Find Out His Bowl Cancer Update We would end the day by sitting around saying the rosary. Going into the newsroom doesnt kill any cancer cells, thats for sure. The only time he even starts to look his age is when he puts on a striking pair of dark pink specs to work out how to turn off a message that keeps appearing on his computer screen. From 2002 to 2009 George Alagiah was a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation; he is also a governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company. Born in 1955, we will celebrate his 66th birthday on 22 November 2021. Adrenalin got me through dealing with gunmen in Somalia and earthquake aftershocks in Kashmir., When it gets really bad, he takes painkillers. It's the idea that I'm only human if I recognise the humanity in you. Born to his Srilankan parents, he is of Asian ethnicity and holds British nationality. George and Frances married in 1984, after meeting in Durham University, where they both studied. In 2004, he returned to his grandfather's original home in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami to survey the damage. In 2020, though, the Sri-Lankan born newsreader revealed it had spread to his lungs. [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." George Alagiah father's name is under review and mother unknown at this time. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. . George at home with his wife Frances in North London, Source: Daily Mail [5] He lives in Stoke Newington, North London. Had I joined then, Id have entered a very white world, dominated by people from a certain class and set of institutions. George Alagiah has shared his belief his diet may have something to do with him first being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014. I respect the gentleness with which my dad nursed my mother before she died in 1996. Sleep deprivation was an issue, but I dont want people to think I am feeling sorry for myself.. He covered everything from the Rwandan genocide to the hardship of the Marsh Arabs in southern Iraq to the civil wars in Afghanistan, Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Somalia as one of the BBCs top international correspondents. He said: 'We had a mutual friend. She also held the position of Head of Programme Partnerships and Head of Institutional Fundraising at the Foundation. He wrote for and became editor of the student publication Palatinate while at Durham. He was first diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in 2014 and has stepped back from presenting intermittently for treatment since then. The couple has two kids Adam and Matt together. That is clearly nonsense. George Maxwell Alagiah OBE is a British newsreader, journalist, and television news presenter. Today we are discussing about George Alagiah from Sri Lanka, who is one of the prominent journalist of BBC. [6] He has four sisters. Frances Robathan was the Senior Partnerships Adviser of the Fairtrade Foundation, where she worked for 18 years since 2002. Listen on iTunes , Spotify , Audioboom, and Castbox or listen below. Jamie Phillips For Mailonline The BBC responded that in keeping with its principles of impartiality, it would be inappropriate for one of its leading journalists to be seen supporting a movement that clearly represents a controversial view of global trade. "I think it would be to constantly ask the question, 'What is it we can do together?'" His current regime is low doses for around three quarters of the year, and higher doses for the rest of the time. The broadcaster, 64, on racism, impartiality and surviving cancer. Furthermore, during the COVID-19 pandemic in mid-March 2020, Alagiah tested positive for COVID-19 and exhibited mild symptoms. BBC newsreader George Alagiah has said he has no time to worry about death as his cancer spreads - because he is busy focusing on living. Alagiah would undergo 17 rounds of chemotherapy and three major operations. Till date, Alagiah has written four books. He looks slim and perfect this time. His has been, he says, a blessed life. For more celebrity details, stick on marriedceleb. Alagiah gained huge fame after working for BBC in 1989. 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. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? VideoRussian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims, 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. Frances Robathan, 61, is the wife of BBC News at Six presenter George Alagiah, 66. What I have is a tumour that is resting very close to the spine and, as far as doctors can make out, has eroded a bit of a vertebra. Being a journalist is not an easy job. "It's. Im not afraid of vulnerability or saying I am vulnerable, so Im slightly surprised at myself that I kept seeing these leaflets and pamphlets, but somehow I had in my head that if I go to Macmillan, I would be telling myself its over. Each of us has to find our way of doing it. 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. British television journalist known for presenting on BBC News at Six, BBC World News, and BBC News at Ten. George Alagiah Family. On April 17, 2014, George was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and was treated for it. 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 . He has two younger sisters and two older sisters. 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], whos now been my wife and lover for all these years, the kids that we brought up it didnt feel like a failure.. But I cannot wait until they're the ones driving the car and I'm the one snoozing in the back. But she stopped and talked to me for half an hour. [5] In 1961, his parents moved to Ghana in West Africa, where he had his primary education at Christ the King International School. View our online Press Pack. According to The Guardian, Alagiah makes $325,000 to $395,000 annually as BBC presenter. Adam Alagiah and Matthew Alagiah are two sons of George Alagiah and are his most treasured family. Poor leadership is definitely part of it., His father started working as an engineer in Ghana. On my wife's side, somebody asked my father-in-law, who was a country lawyer: "Is this Ala-whatsit educated?". You can be right out there or in the background. 3 January 2022 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. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. George Alagiah has confirmed he'll be back on BBC News tonight following months of cancer treatment. I was nearly killed by a shell in Afghanistan. From 1999 to 2002, he was the deputy anchor of the BBC One OClock News and BBC Nine OClock News. When I called her, she was walking out of the Marsden [Londons leading cancer hospital], having had her own regular scan to see if the cancer was spreading. He was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2014; the terrifying journey of the guy. Laterthe programme was replaced as The World. The Next Giant Leap. I'd love to campaign to bring about the three-generational family, living in close proximity. [10][11] Complaints were received at the BBC from members of the public who were unhappy that Alagiah had been asked to step down. Swapping the mango trees of Ghana for an inner-city British Catholic boarding school, aged 11, was a shock to my system. 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. 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. George Alagiah Granddaughter He states that his granddaughter's birth was nothing but a spiritual experience. [4] His parents, Donald Alagiah, an engineer, and Therese, were Sri Lankan Tamil. If I were their age, I'd like to be their friend. Is one of the BBC team collecting a BAFTA award for the coverage of the Kosovo conflict. He receives low doses for three quarters of the year and higher doses the rest of the time. Adam is 34 years old and Matthew is 30 years old as of 221. After his graduation, George served at South Magazine in 1982 and later worked for the British Broadcasting Corporation, where Alagiah became Developing World correspondent in London. However, he was forced to leave in July 2009 due to a professional conflict of interest, according to BBC management. The. On 28 June, Alagiah announced on Twitter that he was making "encouraging progress". Four sisters are his. He continues: 'The thing about bowel cancer is, it is all about poo and bums and people dont like talking about them. So has the cancer spread into his spine? . It's growing very slowly," he said on the podcast Desperately Seeking Wisdom. He was named as the BBC's leading foreign correspondents, reporting on events ranging from the genocide in Wanda to plight of the Marsh Arabs in Southern Iraq to civil wars in Liberia, Sierra Leone, Somalia and Afghanistan. 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. "I learned last time around how important the support of family and friends is and I am blessed in that . 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. "I had to stop and say, 'Hang on a minute. We have seen many people fighting cancer and winning over the diseaseand George Alagiah is one of them. When talking about being recognised as a celebrity, George said his sons keep him down to earth. He adds that there are days where he wakes up 'feeling like s**t' and can have a 'energy collapse'. I had no cause to do that before, but it is an important assertion of my living in the moment. He does not ask, he points out, if I am going to be here next month. Usually by about a week later it is beginning to be better. Im hoping its a long time from now, but Im very lucky.. I was so privileged to have had the chance to talk to her.. In January, Alagiah said he thought the cancer he had had since 2014 would "probably get me in the end", but he still feels "very lucky". It was 1994 in Kabul and I had just walked out of the house I was staying in. Both of which are significant. In addition, George celebrates his birthday on the 22nd of November every year and his zodiac sign is Sagittarius. It took me that long to feel comfortable in my Britishness; to reach a point where I didnt feel it could be taken away. Disappointing, but not unexpected given this KPI was quietly scrapped for providers. Alagiah is 66 years old as of 2021. Now, he tells me calmly, he has a tumour site at the base of his back. On being diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in 2014, I constructed a pros and cons list of how my life had gone so far. If I had three feet, I'd have them in Asia, Africa and Europe. He announced a break from presenting in October last year, but returned to the BBC in April following 'months of treatment'. Mr Turnbull's family revealed that he died 'peacefully' at home in Suffolk after a 'challenging and committed fight' against his cancer which had been diagnosed in November 2017. George Alagiah captures the essence of the emerging global village. George Alagiah was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. Disappointing stats on NTP uncovered by. Initially became editor of the student newspaper Palatinate. So, today, let us discuss her married life, children, and battle with cancer in this section!!!!! The. [6] As one of the BBC's leading foreign correspondents, he reported on events ranging from the genocide in Rwanda to the plight of the Marsh Arabs in southern Iraq to the civil wars in Afghanistan, Liberia, Sierra Leone and Somalia.[6]. The couple tied the knot in the year 1984 and they have happily lived together to date. 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. He is widely popular as the news presenter of rthe BBC News at Six, and former main presenter of GMT on BBC World News since 1st February 2010. Frances has never bothered about her kids as they love to follow in their father's footsteps. 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'. Ultimately, in October 2015, George announced on Twitter that his treatment was over and went back to the BBC on 10th November. Since 3 December 2007, he has been the presenter of the BBC News at Six and was previously the main presenter of GMT on BBC World News since its launch on 1 February 2010. For more updates and current gossip of celebs visit our official page. As a child, I felt cosseted. The couple, who have two sons in their thirties, met at university. The duo tied the knot in 1984 and they have two sons, Adam Alagiah and Matthew Alagiah. Ive not had the anger but it takes quite a lot anyway to get me angry. George was a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation from 2002 to 2009. "Illness sometimes teaches a person the real worth of life." It is incredible what adrenalin will do, he laughs. His parents moved to Ghana in West Africa in 1961. Learned politics at Van Mildert College, Durham University. George Alagiah married to Frances Robathan on 1984. cancer had complexes and Alagiah had to undergo for treatment again. [16], He is married to Frances Robathan, whom he met at Durham University. A PASSAGE TO AFRICA is Alagiah's shattering. Ive spent a lot of the last 18 months in extreme pain. Diagnosed with cancer We are no longer accepting comments on this article. In late 2017 he revealed the cancer had returned after more than a year of him thinking he had got clear of it and in 2020 he shared that it had spread to his lungs. 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. ), He has asked for our interview to be on Zoom. [26] In October 2022, Alagiah announced that his cancer had spread further and he took a break from TV to undergo a new series of treatment. Cancer had returned in January 2018, and he would have to undergo more treatment. They set various benchmarks and, one by one, had to let them go. Its still happening 28 years later. His own main contribution to promoting the hopeful message that you can live, and live well, with cancer has been to continue reading the news on the BBC. Most people thought that he would look terrible after the surgery. Who is George Alagiah's wife? Yes, George Alagiah does have a wife. [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. Since 3rd December 2007, George is the sole presenter of the Six O'Clock News. It haunts me. The couple exchanged their vows in1984 and have two children. George is the son of Donald Alagiah, an engineer, and Therese. But, at that stage I was getting my head around this disease, and being told I had to sort my affairs out, desperately wanting to get better, worrying about my family and all those different emotions. He adds: ''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? He is a member of the Royal Shakespeare Companys Board of Directors. He began his journalistic career in 1982 on the international magazine South, becoming its Africa editor, before joining the BBC seven years later. The journalist and Sheridan Smith are among those who have. With two growing sons Adam and Matthew (both now in their thirties, the latter following in his fathers footsteps in the media) he returned to Britain in the early 2000s and landed the principal role at the Six OClock News, as it was, in 2007. Both of which are significant. "He is grateful for all the good wishes he has received thus far and is optimistic for a positive outcome.". The Burning Land by George Alagiah is out now (8.36, guardianbookshop.com), Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. I had two older sisters looking after me and two younger sisters looking up to me. His income is mainly from his successful career as a broadcast journalist. He learned to bake cakes for the grandchildren and was really sweet with her. I dont know if that is too much information., Even though he is on a low dose, he explains, he has ulcers in his mouth. Image: George with his wife and two sons. BBC presenter George Alagiah will be taking a break from TV after discovering his cancer has spread further, his agent has said. The thing about bowel cancer is, it is all about poo and bums and people dont like talking about them. Having spent 14 years delivering the nation the latest headlines, most recently, Alagiah has made headlines himself after he . George Alagiah will be taking a break from presenting duties as he deals with "a further spread of cancer", his agent has said. He has been a patron of Parenting UK since 2000. You have to work that out for yourself.". Later, he started working as BBCs leading foreign correspondents, presenting on events and later joined as newsreader and presenter. Read about our approach to external linking. [21][22] In January 2018 it emerged that the cancer had returned and he would undergo further treatment. I'm comfortable with women. He says: 'It is near my L5 lowest vertebra. BBC newsreader George Alagiah to 'take break' as cancer spreads (Image: BBC) "And actually, when I look back at my journeythe family I had, the opportunities my family had, the great good . To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. (BBC) George Alagiah has announced that he will be stepping back from presenting BBC News after scans confirmed his cancer has spred further. Thats the one we are watching.'. He spent a decade as the corporation's foreign correspondent, winning a Baftafor his coverage of the Kosovo conflict in 2000. I go into the clinic to start off each dose of chemo, then I come home with a little pump that hangs around my waist for three days. It was back in 2014 that the 66-year old BBC newsreader, George Alagiah was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. [5] In 1961, his parents moved to Ghana in West Africa, where he had his primary education at Christ the King International School. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. ', "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.". I definitely remember thinking that I didnt want to be defined by my disease., Now he realises that he has something to contribute. George Alagiah reflects on cancer journey alongside Sheridan Smith. By The disease returned in 2017 and he also contracted COVID-19 at the start of the pandemic in 2020. "Probably it will get me in the end. "I don't think I'm going to be able to get rid of this thing. Alagiah says he told her to inform her family immediately, but instead she stopped and spoke to him for half an hour. Both of them have comepleted their high school, whereas the elder son Adam is enrolled into international developement and the younger is busy on building his career as a writer. By the end of the three days Ive been on it so much that my fingernails are beginning to fall off. He holds them up to the camera to demonstrate. [20] In late October 2015 he announced on Twitter that the treatment was officially over, and he returned to the BBC on 10 November. My relationship with Macmillan is more of the latter not too out there., His approach is different from that of Dame Deborah James, the campaigner who also had bowel cancer and died in June, eight years after her diagnosis. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? The famous British journalist is a married man. There is no stage five. After completing his secondary education at St Johns College, a private Roman Catholic school in Portsmouth, England, he went on to Van Mildert College, Durham University, to study politics. George Alagiah's Controversy & Recent News [7] His secondary education took place at St John's College, an independent Roman Catholic school in Portsmouth, England, after which he read politics at Van Mildert College, Durham University.