View our online Press Pack. As of 2019, George's total net worth is estimated to be $3 million, which is more than another BBC journalist Susannah Streeter, whose net worth is still under review. Crossing the road, I realised Id left my satchel behind. Alagiah also spoke of the one encounter he had with BBC podcast presenter Dame Deborah James, who died aged 40 following a five-year battle with bowel cancer in June. We werent poor people, by the way, but it is just the way things were in Sri Lanka in the 1950s. "I don't think I'm going to be able to get rid of this thing. In 2020, though, the Sri-Lankan born newsreader revealed it had spread to his lungs. He also states that she was waiting until the arrival of his birthday. 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 grew up alongside his four siblings Mari, Christine, Rachel, and Jennifer. In his glossy portrait taken by celebrity photographer Rankin as part of a new campaign by Macmillan Cancer Support, George Alagiah is looking good. He continues: 'The thing about bowel cancer is, it is all about poo and bums and people dont like talking about them. In an interview in January 2022, the BBC newsreader said: Probably [cancer] will get me in the end. He was born November 22, 1955 in Colombo, Ceylon. He has two younger sisters and two older sisters. Most people thought that he would look terrible after the surgery. ", 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. 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. 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 in the end", but that . 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. George Alagiah is taking a break from presenting the BBC's News At Six after saying scans showed his cancer has spread further.. 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. Speaking on the podcast with ex-Downing Street director of communications Craig Oliver, Alagiah said that when his cancer was first diagnosed, it took a while for him to understand what he "needed to do". In the seat I regularly occupy on the BBC News at Six, I speak to millions of people. "I learned last time around how important the support of family and friends is and I am blessed in that . [6] He has four sisters. 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. In the 2008 New Year Honours, Alagiah was named Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). Before I reached the front door the building took a direct hit. At conservative gathering, Trump is still the favourite. Its really tough there now, he says, on the basis of regular conversations with cousins still in Sri Lanka. @SchoolsWeek. But she stopped and talked to me for half an hour. "Illness sometimes teaches a person the real worth of life." To see all content on The Sun, please use the Site Map. 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. Russian minister laughed at for Ukraine war claims. 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. It was a great relief, however, that the cancer was operable with a devastating twist. There he began attending 'Christ the King International', a primary school. BBC newsreader George Alagiah was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2014. To have ended up where I am now: what is not to be grateful for?. Alagiah now uses breathing techniques to calm himself and help deal with the pain caused by the tumour. If I had three feet, I'd have them in Asia, Africa and Europe. Thats the one we are watching.'. Each day, news reporters, forecasters and presenters work hard to gather information and deliver to public via news programs, radio and news papers. Series two Episode four: Surgery and bowel cancer I had two older sisters looking after me and two younger sisters looking up to me. In 2004, he returned to his grandfather's original home in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the Asian tsunami to survey the damage. George and his partner are living together since thirty four years and still seems to be happy and caring for each other. That day, it was OK. Alagiah told her he would ring back, that the most important thing was to rush home and tell family. George tied a knot to Frances in the year 1984. 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. 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. Alagiah earned a degree in political science from Durham University. Jamie Phillips For Mailonline In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Alagiah says he now has a 'tumour site' at the base of his back. George Alagiah Bio, Age, Family, BBC, Wife, Height, Salary, Net Worth He has been on chemotherapy almost constantly since 2014 though with a 15-month break when the cancer appeared to have gone. British television journalist known for presenting on BBC News at Six, BBC World News, and BBC News at Ten. George Alagiah - Wikipedia '", 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. It is very technical so you have to be careful. He is the third born. [4] His parents, Donald Alagiah, an engineer, and Therese, were Sri Lankan Tamil. 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. 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. 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. He has won multiple honors, including the Royal Television Societys Best International Report in 1993 and the Amnesty International UK Media Awards Overall Winner in 1994. It comes following the death of former BBC Breakfast presenter Bill Turnbull aged 66 following a battle with prostate cancer this week. Alagiah stands approximately at a height of 5 feet 10 inches tall and he weighs 87 kg. 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. My children go to a school attended by some 70 nationalities. Education: The education details are not available at this time. Discover George Alagiah's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. My family values: George Alagiah | Family | The Guardian 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. George Alagiah: BBC News reader George Alagiah announces break from How old is George Alagiah? I didnt want my identity to define me. I'm hoping it's a long time from now, but I'm very lucky.". He has two younger sisters and two older sisters. The BBC newsreader, 66, underwent 17 rounds of chemotherapy after he was first diagnosed with stage-four bowel cancer in 2014. ", "When the oncologist was looking at my scan, he kept gently shaking his head, and every time he did it was like a hammer blow. Since 3rd July 2006, George presented World News Today on BBC World News and BBC Two on 1st February 2010. George has a grandaughter but we have no details about her Find Out His Bowl Cancer Update Alagiah is 66 years old as of 2021. 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. BBC newsreader George Alagiah to take a break from presenting 'due to Both are sons, Adam Alagiah (23 years old) and Matthew Alagiah (19 years old). George Alagiah Family. . Cancer had returned in January 2018, and he would have to undergo more treatment. There seemed something so powerful in a new life entering the world while another, mine, was so compromised. Frances went to Durham University, where she met her husband. More importantly, it is sitting very close to the nerve and the aorta. The journalist and Sheridan Smith are among those who have. 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. As a child, I felt cosseted. My father is an idealist so from him I've learned to dream. Listen on iTunes , Spotify , Audioboom, and Castbox or listen below. [5] In 1961, his parents moved to Ghana in West Africa, where he had his primary education at Christ the King International School. [8] Before becoming a presenter, he was Developing World correspondent, based in London, and then Southern Africa correspondent in Johannesburg. And they clearly have. 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. George Alagiah (George Maxwell Alagiah) was born on 22 November, 1955 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a Journalist, News presenter, newsreader, author. George Alagiah was first diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in April 2014, which subsequently spread to his lungs, liver and lymph nodes. After staying in Colombo till age 6, his family moved to Ghana, and he started attending Crist the King International School for primary education. George Alagiah Biography, Age, Height, Wife, Net Worth, Family On 28 June, Alagiah announced on Twitter that he was making "encouraging progress". But there is uncertainty, he says, over whether it may have to change. He began his journalistic career in 1982 on the international magazine South, becoming its Africa editor, before joining the BBC seven years later. Thats the one we are watching. The word significant is typically measured in the circumstances. In 1982, he began his first journalistic role for international magazine South, before joining the BBC in 1989. I was nearly killed by a shell in Afghanistan. Today we are discussing about George Alagiah from Sri Lanka, who is one of the prominent journalist of BBC. Sri Lanka's Retreat Into Language Of Conspiracy Usually by about a week later it is beginning to be better.'. Further, he said that it was not chronic or terminal.. Robathan, aged 61, was the Senior Partnerships Adviser of the Fairtrade Foundation, where she. George is the son of Donald Alagiah, an engineer, and Therese. Prior to that, he had been the deputy anchor of the BBC One O'Clock News and BBC Nine O'Clock News from 1999. BBC News BBC presenter George Alagiah will be taking a break from TV after discovering his cancer has spread further, his agent has said. Jamie Phillips For Mailonline, George Alagiah RETURNS to BBC's News At Six, six months after stepping back to undergo treatment for bowel cancer, 'Both inside and out, he was kind and generous - and had a wicked sense of humour': Stars pay tribute to 'brave' Bill Turnbull after 'talented' journalist died aged 66 following battle with prostate cancer. Sleep deprivation was an issue, but I dont want people to think I am feeling sorry for myself.. Yes and no. From 2002 to 2009, Alagiah was a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation[9] from which in July 2009, he was obliged to resign by BBC Management who claimed professional conflict of interest. The cancer returned in 2017 and he underwent further treatment before again returning to work. He is the third born. There have been times when even lying down makes it worse.'. Therese Alagiah and Donald Alagiah, both engineers, were Sri Lankan Tamils. George Alagiah reflects on cancer journey alongside Sheridan Smith. 679215 Registered office: 1 London Bridge Street, London, SE1 9GF. 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. The latest breaking news, comment and features from The Independent. The BBC received complaints from members of the public who were upset that Alagiah had been asked to resign. It happens quite regularly when you are on chemo. The famous British journalist makes a decent money from his career. After global riots in 2007 and 2008, George Alagiah travelled the world to reveal why we could be heading for . He wrote for and became editor of the student publication Palatinate while at Durham. Among his many interviews was one with President Nelson Mandela of South Africa. In addition, George celebrates his birthday on the 22nd of November every year and his zodiac sign is Sagittarius. The globe looks different depending on where youre standing. From 2002 to 2009 George Alagiah was a patron of the Fairtrade Foundation; he is also a governor of the Royal Shakespeare Company. George Alagiah reveals cancer battle brought him closer to his wife Her sons always made their family feel like a sober family and make them complete. Migration MuseumGeorge Alagiah OBE - Migration Museum In October, the journalist said he was taking a break from TV to have treatment after "a further spread of cancer" was discovered. George at home with his wife Frances in North London, Source: Daily Mail Adrenalin got me through dealing with gunmen in Somalia and earthquake aftershocks in Kashmir., When it gets really bad, he takes painkillers. Ive not had the anger but it takes quite a lot anyway to get me angry. 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. But he resisted initially. George spent his childhood in Colombo and belongs to Srilankan-British nationality. 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. [4] His parents, Donald Alagiah, an engineer, and Therese, were Sri Lankan Tamil. 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. Can Nigeria's election result be overturned? Alagiah revealed in June 2020 that his cancer had spread to his lungs, liver, and lymph nodes. Best of BBC Future . Alagiah was first diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in April 2014. And my second sister married in a registry office. George Alagiah said his life and family "didn't feel like a failure", said in June 2020 that the cancer had spread, Harry: I feared losing memories of mum during therapy, US-made cheese can be called 'gruyere' - court, The children left behind in Cuba's exodus, Canadian grandma helps police snag phone scammer, AOC under investigation for Met Gala dress. 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.. The duo is living a blissful conjugal life and is also blessed with two children; sons, Adam, 30, and Matt, 25. Had it happened 10 seconds later, I would have been blown up with it. The couple, who have two sons in their thirties, met at university. [5] He lives in Stoke Newington, North London. He receives low doses for three quarters of the year and higher doses the rest of the time. The two of them met and fell in love while students at Durham University at a time when mixed-race relationships were, he has said, certainly less common back then, though not unique. "The Sun", "Sun", "Sun Online" are registered trademarks or trade names of News Group Newspapers Limited. He also tested positive for COVID-19 . He has been married to Frances Robathan for over 30 years. 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. Apart from Frances, my wife, my sisters are my closest friends. 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. BBC presenter George Alagiah has admitted that reading the news while he has cancer leaves him "absolutely knackered physically"..