Moreover, there are ho rumors or controversies about the couple that leads into their separation or divorce. Alagiah is happily married to Frances Robathan. During his days at Durham, Alagiah was a writer and editor for the student newspaper titled palatinate. With friends, family and colleagues Ive shared experiences and thoughts that we otherwise wouldnt have had. 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. Subsequently there have been podcasts for BowelCancerUK - and now these Rankin photographs for Macmillan Cancer Support, which accompany the announcement of its annual Coffee Morning fundraising event later this month. Anyone who has lived with cancer will know this., The struggle to adapt lasted around a year, he recalls. Of course I wish I never had this disease, but Im not sure Id give these six years back. [5] In 1961, his parents moved to Ghana in West Africa, where he had his primary education at Christ the King International School. 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. [6] His other documentaries and features include reports on why affirmative action in America is a 'Lost Cause', for the Assignment programme, Saddam Hussein's genocidal campaign against the Kurds of northern Iraq for the BBC's Newsnight programme and a report on the last reunion of the veterans of Dunkirk.[8]. British journalist and reader of BBC News at Six, George Alagiah has declared that he would be taking time off from his presenting duties after it was discovered through a scan that his bowel cancer has spread. She also held the position of Head of Programme Partnerships and Head of Institutional Fundraising at the Foundation. That will come as no surprise to those who tune in to BBC Ones News at Six each evening and watch him as effortless, reassuring and handsome as ever, and maybe even forget that he announced in 2014 that he had been diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer. Alagiah has also 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. It took me that long to feel comfortable in my Britishness; to reach a point where I didnt feel it could be taken away. Adrenalin got me through dealing with gunmen in Somalia and earthquake aftershocks in Kashmir., When it gets really bad, he takes painkillers. Yes and no. They set various benchmarks and, one by one, had to let them go. To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. Only in my late 30s did I open it again, to explore my heritage. He is a member of the Royal Shakespeare Companys Board of Directors. She even waited until my birthday to arrive. 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. 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. Best of BBC Future . In the aftermath of the Asian tsunami in 2004, George returned to his grandfathers original home in Sri Lanka to assess the damage. "I spent a lot of my time in Africa, and in South Africa they have a word: Ubuntu. His parents moved to Ghana in West Africa in 1961. Then they said Catholics. Being a journalist is not an easy job. When talking about being recognised as a celebrity, George said his sons keep him down to earth. George Alagiah Granddaughter He states that his granddaughter's birth was nothing but a spiritual experience. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? Today we are discussing about George Alagiah from Sri Lanka, who is one of the prominent journalist of BBC. His parents Donald Alagiah, an engineer, and Therese were Sri LankanTamil. 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. 10:24 GMT 04 Sep 2022. He learned to bake cakes for the grandchildren and was really sweet with her. Alagiah would undergo 17 rounds of chemotherapy and three major operations. There is clearly a private story that runs in parallel with the public appearances. Trending :Joanna Gaines || Pat Sajak || Brandi Love || Kamala Harris || Elizabeth Warren ||. Read about our approach to external linking. Alagiah was last seen on the show in 2014. And that becomes acute after three days of chemo. The. There isn't much information available about Adam, but Matt is the Editor-in-Chief of @itsnicethat. Series two Episode four: Surgery and bowel cancer How old is George Alagiah? Besides, he also earns from his books as an author. I'd love to campaign to bring about the three-generational family, living in close proximity. 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. Working in the newsroom "has been such an important part of keeping energised and motivated", said Alagiah. I am absolutely convinced that those things that keep you content and in the present and not thinking tomorrow the pain is going to be worse, are not just useful but are proven to work. Carrying on working is a part of that, he says, just as lying on the lawn or a beach with my granddaughters [he has three, to whom he is devoted] is also a part of that., He seems to be saying that cancer has changed him, and not always in bad ways. 'Energised and motivated' The presenter has kept working as much as . 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? 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 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. When my cancer got into my lungs they arranged for us to have a conversation because it had got into hers too. 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. This service is provided on News Group Newspapers' Limited's Standard Terms and Conditions in accordance with our Privacy & Cookie Policy. He said: 'We had a mutual friend. And they would store up treats for us. George Maxwell Alagiah OBE (/la/ born 22 November 1955)[2][3] is a British newsreader, journalist and television news presenter. Each of us has to find our way of doing it. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. Poor leadership is definitely part of it., His father started working as an engineer in Ghana. George Alagiah was diagnosed with cancer in 2014. While he was on a trip to South Sudan in March 2014 he spotted some blood in his stools he felt easy; anyway, he visited his GP in case. My parents were unconventional for Tamil parents they married for love, educated all their children the same and gave us a lot of freedom but there was still that strain of traditionalism. What's the least amount of exercise we can get away with? '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. What financial arrangements? Ive spent a lot of the last 18 months in extreme pain. [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. Has faith stayed with him, or offered comfort in coping with a stage-four cancer diagnosis? Alagiah was born in Colombo, Ceylon to his parents, Donald Alagiah, an engineer, and Therese, who were Sri Lankan Tamil. 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? Born in Sri Lanka, Alagiah's parents left for west Africa when he was a young child. Alagiah was born on 22nd November 1955, in Colombo, Ceylon, Sri Lanka. The famous British journalist is a married man. On my wife's side, somebody asked my father-in-law, who was a country lawyer: "Is this Ala-whatsit educated?". He is known for being a TV Show Host. He was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer- the most advanced stage, where cancer, has spread from its original site. Now, he tells me calmly, he has a tumour site at the base of his back. 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. Im old enough to remember the beating of Rodney King vividly. After staying in Colombo till age 6, his family moved to Ghana, and he started attending Crist the King International School for primary education. Since 3 December 2007, he has been the sole presenter of the Six O'Clock News. 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'. 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". George Alagiah has confirmed he'll be back on BBC News tonight following months of cancer treatment. 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. Alagiah gained huge fame after working for BBC in 1989. Robathan, aged 61, was the Senior Partnerships Adviser of the Fairtrade Foundation, where she. He was born November 22, 1955 in Colombo, Ceylon. 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 things that had gone well far outweighed the others, which brought me to a place of total contentment. The BBC newsreader, 66, underwent 17 rounds of chemotherapy after he was first diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer in 2014. Ultimately, in October 2015, George announced on Twitter that his treatment was over and went back to the BBC on 10th November. George Aliagiah is married to his wife Frances Robathan. We will continue to update details on George Alagiah's family. I envy people who have faith. Each day, news reporters, forecasters and presenters work hard to gather information and deliver to public via news programs, radio and news papers. He is the third born. The latest breaking news, comment and features from The Independent. You can be right out there or in the background. Sleep deprivation was an issue, but I dont want people to think I am feeling sorry for myself.. The BBC received complaints from members of the public who were upset that Alagiah had been asked to resign. Ive not had the anger but it takes quite a lot anyway to get me angry. He has two younger sisters and two older sisters. When youre closer to your last day, you live each one with an intensity you couldnt have previously imagined. Frances Robathan, 61, is the wife of BBC News at Six presenter George Alagiah, 66. "I had to stop and say, 'Hang on a minute. Their second son Matthew Alagiah was born in 1991. 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. Alagiah is 66 years old as of 2021. [5] In 1961, his parents moved to Ghana in West Africa, where he had his primary education at Christ the King International School. 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. [6] He has four sisters. I'm hoping it's a long time from now, but I'm very lucky.". The novel is described as a thrilling, fast-paced thriller set in South Africa involving corruption and homicide.. Family Tree. His parents moved to Ghana, West Africa, in 1961. The 66-year-old broadcaster, who took a break from news reading last October, was first . 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 . ", 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. We didn't live as a family much after that except for six weeks' holiday a year. More importantly, it is sitting very close to the nerve and the aorta. 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. Listen on iTunes , Spotify , Audioboom, and Castbox or listen below. But I cannot wait until they're the ones driving the car and I'm the one snoozing in the back. Ive had an amazing gift of a life for a man who was born into a house without a proper toilet. If the full stop came now, would my life have been a failure? However, he was forced to leave in July 2009 due to a professional conflict of interest, according to BBC management. 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. Its almost meditative.. 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. Thats the one we are watching.'. George Alagiah reflects on cancer journey alongside Sheridan Smith. But she stopped and talked to me for half an hour. Newsreader George Alagiah is to take a break from his presenting duties at the BBC as he deals with 'a further spread of cancer', his agent said today.. He receives low doses for three quarters of the year and higher doses the rest of the time. George Alagiah interviews Stacey Heale from Southampton, whose husband Greg has bowel cancer, along with the charity's former Chief Executive, Deborah Alsina MBE, on what it's like caring for a loved one with the disease. [6] He has four sisters. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. George tied a knot to Frances in the year 1984. At 11, Alagiah was sent as his sisters before him had been to a Catholic boarding school in Portsmouth. His public profile made it inevitable, when he shared his cancer diagnosis in 2014, that there were approaches from charities wanting to involve him. There were 28 of us. Two sisters live in Britain, another in Switzerland and one in Florida. Towards Net Zero. Im hoping its a long time from now, but Im very lucky.. 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. 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. Her sons always made their family feel like a sober family and make them complete. He announced a break from presenting in October last year, but returned to the BBC in April following 'months of treatment'. George Alagiah: I'm lucky for the life I've had, but cancer will probably get me in the end The BBC newsreader, 66, says he has resolved to enjoy the present moment By Victoria Ward 3 January. The 64-year-old BBC News At Six presenter is undergoing further treatment after doctors found cancer had now spread from his bowel to his liver, lymph nodes and lungs. There is no stage five. The duo tied the knot in 1984 and they have two sons, Adam Alagiah and Matthew Alagiah. 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. Alagiah now uses breathing techniques to calm himself and help deal with the pain caused by the tumour. In my job one cant decide that the view you subscribe to is the only one. I have very strong views, but I keep them to myself: impartiality is important. The Burning Land by George Alagiah is out now (8.36, guardianbookshop.com), Original reporting and incisive analysis, direct from the Guardian every morning. The broadcaster, 64, on racism, impartiality and surviving cancer. We werent poor people, by the way, but it is just the way things were in Sri Lanka in the 1950s. After the Asian tsunami in 2004, he went back to his grandfather's original home in Sri Lanka to look at the damage. When asked what piece of wisdom he would give, he spoke about the need for people to think more collectively. In 1982, he began his first journalistic role for international magazine South, before joining the BBC in 1989. It haunts me. George Alagiah and Frances Robathan have two children - Adam, 34, and Matthew, 30. George Alagiah and Frances Robathan have two children - Adam, 34, and Matthew, 30. We're in that transition period that other parents worry about: the loss of control and so on. Both of their sons, Adam and Matthews are adults. There seemed something so powerful in a new life entering the world while another, mine, was so compromised. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. I see the injustice of whats happening in the US with the death of George Floyd. Had it happened 10 seconds later, I would have been blown up with it. He began his journalistic career in 1982 on the international magazine South, becoming its Africa editor, before joining the BBC seven years later. Alagiah then took a role reading the Six O'Clock News in 2007. They have been together since they met for the first time at Durham University when Frances was 19 and George20. 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 . By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use. GEORGE ALAGIAH is a recognisable newsreader and television presenter. However, there are no details regardinng his wife. Cancer had returned in January 2018, and he would have to undergo more treatment. To be fair, Alagiah, 66, has offered the occasional update on his health over the past eight and a half years. When he was six, his parents moved to Ghana, West Africa to avoid persecution. The 65-year-old BBC newsreader was first diagnosed with stage 4. The thing about bowel cancer is, it is all about poo and bums and people dont like talking about them. We have seen many people fighting cancer and winning over the diseaseand George Alagiah is one of them. 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. He even manages to smile as he says it. Since 3rd July 2006, George presented World News Today on BBC World News and BBC Two on 1st February 2010. His father Donald Alagiah is a former engineer and mother Therese Alagiah is a house wife.