Had I joined then, Id have entered a very white world, dominated by people from a certain class and set of institutions. He was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2014; the terrifying journey of the guy. 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. Learned politics at Van Mildert College, Durham University. '", I saved myself from Royal life, Harry says & insists 'sharing's an act of service', Love Island's Olivia Hawkins breaks silence as she returns to the UK, Loose Women star lined up to be Strictly's first contestant in wheelchair, Coronation Street fans horrified as Amy Barlow is raped in disturbing scenes, News Group Newspapers Limited in England No. According to the BBC, it would be improper for one of its top journalists to be seen promoting a campaign that plainly reflects a controversial view of global trade, in keeping with its values of impartiality. It haunts me. You have to work that out for yourself.". He wrote for and became editor of the student publication Palatinate while at Durham. His parents Donald Alagiah, an engineer, and Therese were Sri LankanTamil. 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". At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. BBC News star George Alagiah will be taking a break from screens Credit: BBC The 66-year-old was diagnosed with stage 4 bowel cancer in 2014 and stepped back from broadcasting in October last. View our online Press Pack. Up to when I was six, we lived in Sri Lanka, then my father got a job for the government in Ghana. ', "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.". George Alagiah is 65 years of age. George Alagiah is a British journalist, newsreader, and television news presenter. ), He has asked for our interview to be on Zoom. 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. As a BBC presenter, he earned 315,000 319,999 in 2018-2019. George Alagiah with his sisters, mother and father in Sri Lanka, 1959; and with his sisters and mother in Ghana, 1965 . For more updates and current gossip of celebs visit our official page. I definitely remember thinking that I didnt want to be defined by my disease., Now he realises that he has something to contribute. The globe looks different depending on where youre standing: George Alagiah. If I were their age, I'd like to be their friend. Adam Alagiah was born in the year 1987 and is now 34 years old. [5] In 1961, his parents moved to Ghana in West Africa, where he had his primary education at Christ the King International School. When my cancer got into my lungs they arranged for us to have a conversation because it had got into hers too. Ive not had the anger but it takes quite a lot anyway to get me angry. He is doing a better job than me at keeping his eyes dry. 'By the time I walk out of that newsroom at seven oclock in the evening, having been there since the morning, I am absolutely knackered physically, but mentally I am rejuvenated. 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. The 66-year-old newsreader was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014 but carried on working until 2021 when he took a short break from the airwaves. Alagiah was born on 22nd November 1955, in Colombo, Ceylon, Sri Lanka. George Alagiah reads the BBC Six O'Clock News, The BBC newsreader talks about his family, Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning, George Alagiah: 'I learned to dream from my father.' [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. The two were not close, he says, but their one encounter is firmly fixed in his memory. Born to his Srilankan parents, he is of Asian ethnicity and holds British nationality. 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. There is clearly a private story that runs in parallel with the public appearances. His income is mainly from his successful career as a broadcast journalist. George Alagiah is taking a break from presenting the BBC's News At Six after saying scans showed his cancer has spread further.. Today Id call what I experienced racism, but back then I didnt have that language. I see him once a week and phone him every evening; my sisters see him every day. George at home with his wife Frances in North London, Source: Daily Mail If the full stop came now, would my life have been a failure? 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. Find out more, George Alagiah: You cant get a cancer diagnosis without knowing about Macmillan because they are everywhere, George presenting from Cairo during the Egyptian revolution, George was a familiar sight on our screens as a BBC newsreader, Project Fear authors discussed when to deploy new Covid variant, Matt Hancock's plan to frighten the pants off everyone about Covid, Rishi Sunak has questions to answer on the true nature of his Protocol deal, The dreadful consequences of Matt Hancock's lockdown scare tactics, Rishi Sunak's Brexit deal is more threadbare than reckless Tories will admit, Trump gets rapturous reception at major US Republican conference, knowing about Macmillan because they are everywhere. I dont like it and Ive managed to wean myself off them. George tied a knot to Frances in the year 1984. I see the injustice of whats happening in the US with the death of George Floyd. Aged 11, I got sent to a Catholic boarding school in Portsmouth. . My mother was the realist. Therese Alagiah and Donald Alagiah, both engineers, were Sri Lankan Tamils. Before I reached the front door the building took a direct hit. Born in Sri Lanka, Alagiah's parents left for west Africa when he was a young child. 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. It is an . On 28th June, Alagiah announced on his Twitter account that he was making "encouraging progress". [16], He is married to Frances Robathan, whom he met at Durham University. Unsure of what was happening, I laughed along with them. Sleep deprivation was an issue, but I dont want people to think I am feeling sorry for myself.. Family of US . You cant get a cancer diagnosis without knowing about Macmillan because they are everywhere, he explains. George Alagiah father's name is under review and mother unknown at this time. "It's. BBC newsreader George Alagiah announced in October 2021 he is taking a break from presenting, after his cancer spread further. He is the third born. Laterthe programme was replaced as The World. They have been together since they met for the first time at Durham University when Frances was 19 and George 20. 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. When youre closer to your last day, you live each one with an intensity you couldnt have previously imagined. Four sisters are his. 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 . Read about our approach to external linking. Since December 2007 George has presented BBC News at 6, Britain's most-watched news programme. George recalled the memory and said, "The doctors are very careful in what they say, so you have to read between the lines and work out what theyre not saying. The BBC turned me down three times at the start of my career, and Im grateful. I'm hoping it's a long time from now, but I'm very lucky.". 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. The things that had gone well far outweighed the others, which brought me to a place of total contentment. Not every day.'. He went to boarding school in England at twelve years old. It happens quite regularly when you are on chemo. [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." After graduating from college, George enrolled at Van Mildert College and Durham University to study politics. Alagiah has been the host of BBC Four News from its inception in 2002; the show has since been renamed The World and then another edition of World News Today. During his days at Durham, Alagiah was a writer and editor for the student newspaper titled palatinate. George has a grandaughter but we have no details about her Find Out His Bowl Cancer Update Working in the newsroom "has been such an important part of keeping energised and motivated", said Alagiah. 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'. Alagiah was first diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in April 2014. 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. And my sisters went to one in Littlehampton. '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. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. When talking about being recognised as a celebrity, George said his sons keep him down to earth. (In 2011 he drew on his own experience to make a BBC2 series, Mixed Britannia. From 2002 to 2009 George Alagiah was a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation; he is also a governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company. He is a member of the Royal Shakespeare Companys Board of Directors. Donald and Therese, both of his parents, were Sri Lankan Tamil, and was the only son in a family with four sisters. If I had three feet, I'd have them in Asia, Africa and Europe. 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. 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? The 66-year-old journalist was diagnosed with stage . Ive spent a lot of the last 18 months in extreme pain. But thats right now and it may not be true for tomorrow. 'Ive been with people who treat me as they always did, who dont patronise me, and it is a tremendous fillip.'. George Maxwell Alagiah(BBC), Bio, Wiki, Age, Height, Education, Family, Career, Salary and Net Worth. 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? The TV journalist, 65, who regularly . George is currently serving as a main relief presenter for BBC Ten O'Clock News. He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2008 New Year Honours. More importantly, it is sitting very close to the nerve and the aorta. ", 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. Family Tree. Alagiah first met his spouse during his days in the Univerisity. She also held the position of Head of Programme Partnerships and Head of Institutional Fundraising at the Foundation. 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?'. By Later, he started working as BBCs leading foreign correspondents, presenting on events and later joined as newsreader and presenter. Alagiah then took a role reading the Six O'Clock News in 2007. George and his partner are living together since thirty four years and still seems to be happy and caring for each other. Frances Robathan, 61, is the wife of BBC News at Six presenter George Alagiah, 66. If there are ill-effects of his ongoing treatment that he is trying to keep private by opting for online, then he isnt making a very good job of it. Well, the couple has been together for almost 33 years with no divorce rumors and affairs. The globe looks different depending on where youre standing. "It's sobering to have your kids tell you, when you're dropping them off at school, 'Dad, don't get out of the car! He continues: 'The thing about bowel cancer is, it is all about poo and bums and people dont like talking about them. I envy people who have faith. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Alagiah earned a degree in political science from Durham University. [6] Whilst at Durham, he wrote for and became editor of the student newspaper Palatinate and was a sabbatical officer of Durham Students' Union. He was the presenter of BBC Four News from its launch in 2002; the programme was later relaunched as The World and then another edition of World News Today. 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. Alagiah gained huge fame after working for BBC in 1989. Being a journalist is not an easy job. He was born November 22, 1955 in Colombo, Ceylon. He doesnt like the martial language of battling the disease who am I in a battle with? The popular journalist George suffered a lot but his wife and family were always by his side. During an interview with The Sunday Times in 2018, George said that his cancer was curable and could be discovered earlier. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. So, today, let us discuss her married life, children, and battle with cancer in this section!!!!! Alagiah is happily married to Frances Robathan. As a child, I felt cosseted. [5] He lives in Stoke Newington, North London. Dame Deborah death prompts more bowel checks, Cancer will probably get me, says George Alagiah, Alagiah takes break from TV for cancer treatment, BBC's Alagiah on living with coronavirus and cancer, Street fighting in Bakhmut but Russia not in control, Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. BBC newsreader George Alagiah, 66, left viewers and colleagues emotional today over his return to broadcasting.Earlier this afternoon, George had taken to Twitter to announce his return to the . "There's this collective notion of life which I think we have lost. In addition, George celebrates his birthday on the 22nd of November every year and his zodiac sign is Sagittarius. By the time it came to me, they just wanted good people. 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'. Recalling the. There was a work ethic about my mother, which I've also inherited. It was 1994 in Kabul and I had just walked out of the house I was staying in. Read about our approach to external linking. Im old enough to remember the beating of Rodney King vividly. [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.