BBC newsreader George Alagiah dies aged 67
The celebrated TV anchor had been living with bowel cancer for almost a decade.
By Nick Reilly
BBC newsreader George Alagiah has died at the age of 67, it has been confirmed.
In a statement, his agent Mary Greenham said: “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. George was deeply loved by everybody who knew him, whether it was a friend, a colleague or a member of the public. He simply was a wonderful human being.
“My thoughts are with Fran, the boys and his wider family.”
The celebrated journalist, presenter and face of BBC One’s News At Six was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer, which had spread to his liver and lymph nodes, in April 2014.
Alagiah joined the corporation in 1989 and was one of the BBC’s most prominent foreign correspondents, notably covering civil wars in Somalia and Liberia and the Rwandan genocide in the 1990s before becoming a presenter.
In a statement, BBC Director General Tim Davie said: “Across the BBC, we are incredibly sad to hear the news about George. We are thinking of his family at this time. George was one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from across the world as well as presenting the news flawlessly.
“He was more than just an outstanding journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him enormously.”
Alagiah memorably interviewed figures including South African President Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan and President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe during his time at the BBC and became one of the main presenters of the Six O’Clock News in 2003.