What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? He is the third born. The 66-year-old journalist was diagnosed with stage . 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. In a statement, he said "it's back to the tough stuff" after a scan showed his cancer had spread further. He has two younger sisters and two older sisters. Moreover, he was sabbatical officer of Durham Students' Union. My sons Adam and Matthew, who are 23 and 19, are amazing guys. His appearances at literary festivals include Cheltenham, Keswick, Hay-on-Wye and London, and he has spoken at the Royal Geographical Society, the Royal Society of Arts and at the Royal Overseas League. For other inquiries, Contact Us. George Aliagiah is married to his wife Frances Robathan. We werent poor people, by the way, but it is just the way things were in Sri Lanka in the 1950s. George grew up alongside his four siblings Mari, Christine, Rachel, and Jennifer. However, he was forced to leave in July 2009 due to a professional conflict of interest, according to BBC management. His agent said at the time that he was dealing with a further spread of the . How, I wonder, does he manage the pain if it strikes suddenly while he is reading the headlines, or interviewing someone live in the studio? He is one of the famous journalist for BBC, where Carol Kirkwood also serves as a journalist. In the aftermath of the Asian tsunami in 2004, George returned to his grandfathers original home in Sri Lanka to assess the damage. The. Family of US . "I learned last time around how important the support of family and friends is and I am blessed in that . When my cancer got into my lungs they arranged for us to have a conversation because it had got into hers too. ), He has asked for our interview to be on Zoom. The globe looks different depending on where youre standing: George Alagiah. Im hoping its a long time from now, but Im very lucky.. A persistent change in bowel habit - going more often, with looser stools and sometimes tummy pain, Blood in the stools without other symptoms, such as piles, Abdominal pain, discomfort or bloating always brought on by eating - sometimes resulting in a reduction in the amount of food eaten and weight loss. (BBC) George Alagiah has announced that he will be stepping back from presenting BBC News after scans confirmed his cancer has spred further. George Alagiah has described the challenge of getting his cancer diagnosis 'straight in his head' when he was told he was dying. You have to work that out for yourself.". Born in Sri Lanka, the middle child in a family of five, and the only boy, his parents Donald and Therese - Tamil Catholics, a minority group in the island's population - left for west Africa. Series two Episode four: Surgery and bowel cancer I've got the cancer still. From 1999 to 2002, he was the deputy anchor of the BBC One OClock News and BBC Nine OClock News. But he resisted initially. Alagiah reported on Twitter on June 28 that he was making encouraging progress. He announced the end of his treatment on Twitter in late October 2015, and he returned to the BBC on November 10th. It's the idea that I'm only human if I recognise the humanity in you. Adam is 34 years old and Matthew is 30 years old as of 221. How old is George Alagiah? 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. Trending :Joanna Gaines || Pat Sajak || Brandi Love || Kamala Harris || Elizabeth Warren ||. No one uses the d-word. [4] His parents, Donald Alagiah, an engineer, and Therese, were Sri Lankan Tamil. So has the cancer spread into his spine? Alagiah was born in Colombo, Ceylon to his parents, Donald Alagiah, an engineer, and Therese, who were Sri Lankan Tamil. Dec 9, 2022. If the full stop came now, would my life have been a failure? 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? George Alagiah and Frances Robathan have two children - Adam, 34, and Matthew, 30. I dont know if it is into my spine. [17][25], In June 2020 Alagiah said that the cancer had spread to his lungs, liver and lymph nodes, but was not at a "chronic" or "terminal" stage. He began his journalistic career in 1982 on the international magazine South, becoming its Africa editor, before joining the BBC seven years later. "Probably it will get me in the end. BBC presenter George Alagiah has admitted that reading the news while he has cancer leaves him "absolutely knackered physically".. To inquire about a licence to reproduce material, visit our Syndication site. He grew up with his four siblings and holds a British nationality. He was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2014; the terrifying journey of the guy. George Maxwell Alagiah OBE (/la/ born 22 November 1955)[2][3] is a British newsreader, journalist and television news presenter. He learned to bake cakes for the grandchildren and was really sweet with her. George Alagiah is a British newsreader and journalist who joined the BBC in 1989, working as a reporter and correspondent. As a BBC presenter, he earned 315,000 319,999 in 2018-2019. His father worked as an engineer in Ghana, before the newsreader was sent to boarding school in Portsmouth aged 11. He has lost count of the number of rounds, more than a hundred not the 17 sometimes mentioned in reports, he points out, making a plea for old-fashioned accuracy in journalism. Im not too scared for myself, but Im here on the third floor of our house, he says, almost over his shoulder. He returned to presenting duties the following year after making progress against the disease, saying at the time he was a 'richer person' for it. He is the third of five children her sisters being: Mari, Rachel, Christine and Jennifer. His parents moved to Ghana, West Africa, in 1961. Studied at the King InternationalSchool and later studied at St. John's College. 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. He has been a patron of Parenting UK since 2000. I definitely remember thinking that I didnt want to be defined by my disease., Now he realises that he has something to contribute. 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 earns an average annual salary of between 325,000-329,999 at BBC. Only in my late 30s did I open it again, to explore my heritage. [citation needed], Alagiah joined the BBC in 1989 after seven years in print journalism with South Magazine. They have been together since they met for the first time at Durham University when Frances was 19 and George20. [5] He lives in Stoke Newington, North London. "I spent a lot of my time in Africa, and in South Africa they have a word: Ubuntu. By the time it came to me, they just wanted good people. He is known for being a TV Show Host. [6] The family's former home had been destroyed, but he was able to recognise an old well where he had played with his sisters, although the well was unsalvageable. [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. 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 . Ive been with people who treat me as they always did, who dont patronise me, and it is a tremendous fillip., One of the ways he has learnt to deal with his cancer is by realising that the body and the mind, though distinct, are also interrelated. [5] In 1961, his parents moved to Ghana in West Africa, where he had his primary education at Christ the King International School. I can suddenly have an energy collapse. The couple exchanged their vows in1984 and have two children. George and Frances married in 1984, after meeting in Durham University, where they both studied. Further, he said that it was not chronic or terminal.. "It's. The famous British journalist is a married man. Alagiah was born on 22nd November 1955, in Colombo, Ceylon, Sri Lanka. @SchoolsWeek. His most popular book is A Home From Home: From Immigrant Boy to English Man. He was a sabbatical officer of the Durham Students Union. It was back in 2014 that the 66-year old BBC newsreader, George Alagiah was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer. After graduating from college, George enrolled at Van Mildert College and Durham University to study politics. Understanding sadness, he reflects, helps you understand joy. It is incredible what adrenalin will do, he laughs. In addition, George celebrates his birthday on the 22nd of November every year and his zodiac sign is Sagittarius. Going into the newsroom doesnt kill any cancer cells, thats for sure. "I had to stop and say, 'Hang on a minute. In the 2008 New Year Honours, Alagiah was named Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). 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. George Alagiah married Robathan the high school sweetheart in the year 1984. 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. I was nearly killed by a shell in Afghanistan. 1961, George's parents shifted to Ghana, West Africa, where Alagiah joined Christ the King international School. Alagiah was born in Colombo, Ceylon on 22 November 1955. Dont miss to subscribe to our new feeds, kindly fill the form below. It was a great relief, however, that the cancer was operable with a devastating twist. He also spoke about his treatment, saying: "My doctor's very good at every now and again hitting me with a big red bus full of drugs, because the whole point about cancer is it finds a way through and it gets you in the end. . It haunts me. George at home with his wife Frances in North London, Source: Daily Mail, (R-L) Adam, George, Frances, and Matt together, Source: Mirror, News Reader George Alagiah at Buckingham Palace after collecting his OBE from the Queen, Source: Mirror, George Alagiah's Married life and Children: Battled with a Cancer, his Wife and Family were always by his side, Updated On 15 Aug, 2017 Published On 13 Aug, 2017, eople fighting cancer and winning over the disease. In 1982, he began his first journalistic role for international magazine South, before joining the BBC in 1989. My sons Adam and Matthew, who are 23 and 19, are amazing guys. Since 3rd December 2007, George is the sole presenter of the Six O'Clock News. [16], He is married to Frances Robathan, whom he met at Durham University. Alagiah stands approximately at a height of 5 feet 10 inches tall and he weighs 87 kg. However, there are no details regardinng his wife. Read about our approach to external linking. They set various benchmarks and, one by one, had to let them go. She even waited until my birthday to arrive. With friends, family and colleagues Ive shared experiences and thoughts that we otherwise wouldnt have had. He began his career as a newsreader for BBC News at Six (1984) in 2003, and went on to become a well-known face of BBC news, hosting shows such as BBC News at Ten (2000) and BBC One OClock News (1986), among others. Till date, Alagiah has written four books. I see him once a week and phone him every evening; my sisters see him every day. Reports on why affirmative action in America is a Lost Cause for the Assignment program, Saddam Husseins genocidal campaign against the Kurds of northern Iraq for the BBCs Newsnight program, and a report on the last reunion of Dunkirk veterans are among Alagiahs other documentaries and features. George was a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation from 2002 to 2009. The couple, who have two sons in their thirties, met at university. George Alagiah was born on the 22nd of November, 1955. Since 3 July 2006, he has presented World News Today on BBC World News and BBC Two, which was rebranded GMT on 1 February 2010. There is no joy sometimes without sadness and they feed off each other. He pauses, as if to ask himself if he is really going to say what he is about to say. ', "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.". A Passage to Africa is Alagiah's shattering catalogue of atrocities crafted into a portrait of Africa that is infused with hope, insight, and outrage. Most people thought that he would look terrible after the surgery. In January 2003 he joined the BBC Six O'Clock News, along with the co-presenter Sophie Raworth until October 2005, and with Natasha Kaplinsky until October 2007. On 28 June, Alagiah announced on Twitter that he was making "encouraging progress". In my job one cant decide that the view you subscribe to is the only one. His wife Frances Robathan has supported him on his journey to fight the disease. It is an . Usually by about a week later it is beginning to be better.'. 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. He even manages to smile as he says it. Alagiah first joined BBC News at Six (1984) as a newsreader in 2003 and became a much-recognized face of BBC news, also presenting slots in BBC News at Ten (2000) and BBC One O'Clock News (1986), among others. The BBC presenter reflected in an interview about his career and marriage of 37 years. His current regime is low doses for around three quarters of the year, and higher doses for the rest of the time. Further scans showed that the cancerous cells spread to his lymph nodes along with his liver. He was first diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in 2014 and has stepped back from presenting intermittently for treatment since then. Ultimately, in October 2015, George announced on Twitter that his treatment was over and went back to the BBC on 10th November. 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. In the seat I regularly occupy on the BBC News at Six, I speak to millions of people. Right now, when there is an unpredictability about my treatment, I would definitely call them not dark moments but difficult moments, when it is harder to reach that position of contentment which is where I am most of the time. The most painful thoughts are those about his family. He adds that there are days where he wakes up 'feeling like s**t' and can have a 'energy collapse'. A PASSAGE TO AFRICA is Alagiah's shattering. But she stopped and talked to me for half an hour. [8] Before becoming a presenter, he was Developing World correspondent, based in London, and then Southern Africa correspondent in Johannesburg. Ive not had the anger but it takes quite a lot anyway to get me angry. '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. I call it getting comfort. Each of us has to find our way of doing it. View our online Press Pack. Had I joined then, Id have entered a very white world, dominated by people from a certain class and set of institutions. "He is grateful for all the good wishes he has received thus far and is optimistic for a positive outcome.". Through my work I've seen the world at its worst and I often wish I could make it better. [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. George Alagiah's Controversy & Recent News We weren't rebellious. He was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer- the most advanced stage, where cancer, has spread from its original site. There isn't much information available about Adam, but Matt is the Editor-in-Chief of @itsnicethat. He has hosted World News Today on BBC World News and BBC Two from 3 July 2006, when it was relaunched GMT on 1 February 2010. Its really tough there now, he says, on the basis of regular conversations with cousins still in Sri Lanka. It was when legislative discrimination against the Tamils was beginning in Sri Lanka. Later, he attended St. John's College, in England. It is really important for me to know that, when my eyes shut, it is only going to be for a little while and that another day will start., Are there ever darker moments, like when he had hoped the cancer had gone but then it returned? We're in that transition period that other parents worry about: the loss of control and so on. It is very technical so you have to be careful. Before that, Alagiah was the deputy anchor of the BBC One O'Clock News and BBC Nine O'Clock News from 1999.