Featured Image Credit: BBC
Topics: UK News, BBC, TV and Film, Celebrity
Katherine Sidnell
After the sudden death of George Alagiah, tributes have been paid to the late BBC newsreader.
The presenter was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer nine years ago but sadly passed away earlier today (July 24) – aged just 67.
Among those paying tribute to the late presenter was Clive Myrie, who struggled to hold back the tears as he spoke on BBC News.
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During the heart-breaking tribute, Myrie’s voice even broke as he spoke about his friend and former colleague.
In a touching moment on live TV, he said: "On a personal note, George touched all our lives with kindness and generosity. His warmth and good humour... we loved him here at BBC News and I loved him as a mentor, colleague and friend.”
"His spirit, strength and courage he showed in the later years of his life are something his family can be so proud of. Journalism has lost a giant."
The BBC newsreader wasn’t the only one to acknowledge the sad passing, with Naga Munchetty also breaking down during her 5 Live radio show earlier today.
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Her sadness was audible, as the radio host struggled to get through the heart-breaking bulletin.
She told those tuning in: "Apologies for the emotion in my voice - he was so loved in our newsroom.”
Munchetty then spoke about how the former foreign correspondent had supported her throughout her career while sending her condolences to her former colleagues’ family.
It happened just moments after Alagiah’s agent made the shock announcement, confirming that the much-loved BBC newsreader had passed.
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In a short statement, they confirmed that the Bafta-nominated journalist had been surrounded by his family before slipping away.
It read: “I am so terribly sorry to inform you that George Alagiah died peacefully today, surrounded by his family and loved ones. George fought until the bitter end but sadly that battle ended earlier today.”
Prior to his 2014 diagnosis, Alagiah had been a mainstay of British TV for over twenty years and regularly presented the BBC News At Six.
He was even awarded an OBE for service to journalism in 2008, after reporting on hard-hitting subjects such as the human organ trade.
In addition to interviewing figures like Nelson Mandela and the UN Secretary-General, the father of two would also write two books before his untimely death.
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Sadly, the presenter had been forced to take a break from his primetime role as the disease progressed – revealing in 2022 that he would receive chemotherapy to reduce cancer in his lymph nodes and liver.
The journalist is survived by his wife, France Robathan, and their two children Adam and Matthew.