BBC presenter George Alagiah has made an emotional return to News At Six eight years after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer.
The newsreader has been undergoing months of intensive treatment for his stage four cancer, which was first discovered in 2014.
George, 66, looked delighted to be back on telly after taking time out to deal with further spread of the disease last October.
The TV host was first diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer eight years ago, which moved to his lungs and lymph nodes in 2020.
He took time away from the screen to receive further treatment for the disease – but finally made his return on Thursday night.
Taking to Twitter, he shared a heartfelt message with his fans, saying: “I’ll be back in the BBC News studio today after months of treatment.
READ MORE ON GEORGE ALAGIAH
“Pure coincidence it’s 8 years to the day since I was told I had stage 4 bowel cancer so good to be with the News at Six team again.”
George was seen giving the bulletin about the £120million scheme to redirect immigrants heading to the UK to Rwanda.
Keeping professional, the star made no reference to his personal struggle – cancer or treatment – during his 30-minute slot.
Many fans took to social media to congratulate George on his return, including some of his former co-stars.
BBC News’ political editor Chris Mason wrote: “Welcome back,” under George’s emotional tweet about his return.
Last year, George revealed how his cancer had spread to his lungs, liver and lymph nodes in another phase of his battle.
Alagiah has now revealed doctors told him in April that the disease is now in his lungs – but they have not said it is terminal.
He told The Times: “My doctors have never used the word ‘chronic’ or ‘cure’ about my cancer.
“They’ve never used the word ‘terminal’ either. I’ve always said to my oncologist, ‘Tell me when I need to sort my affairs out’, and he’s not told me that, but what he did tell me is that the cancer is now in a third organ. It is in my lungs.”
Alagiah, who tested positive for Covid-19 in March, said he had initially kept the latest development secret, only telling his editor.
He added: “I said to my doctor, ‘You’re going to have to do the worrying for me.’
“I don’t want to fill my mind with worry. I just know that he’s a clever guy, doing everything he can.”
Read More on The Celeb Report
The journalist, who lives in north London with his wife Frances, said his chemotherapy has increased as a result of the cancer spreading.
Sri Lanka-born Alagiah was diagnosed with bowel cancer in April 2014 and again in December 2017.
He has continued to work throughout his illness.
Did you miss our previous article...
https://thecelebreport.com/television/britains-got-talent-reveals-major-show-shakeup-ahead-of-launching-its-15th-series-tomorrow
