SALLY Nugent moved BBC Breakfast fans with a poignant tribute to George Alagiah today.
BBC journalist George passed away yesterday aged 67 after a battle with bowel cancer.
Sally Nugent moved BBC Breakfast fans with a poignant tribute to George Alagiah today
George was one of the BBC’s most loved and respected journalists
His passing prompted a wave of touching tributes and on today’s BBC Breakfast, Sally and co-host Jon Kay paid their respects to their beloved colleague.
Jon, 53, said: “All the papers this morning are reflecting on the life and career of our dear friend and colleague George Alagiah who died at the age of 67.
“He was one of our longest-serving and most respected journalists on the Six for 20 years wasn’t it?”
Sally, 51, replied: “Yeah and later on this morning we are going to be remembering him and those special qualities that he brought.
“I know lots of people at home will feel very much like he was one of their friends and he really was, it meant so much to him when people would talk to him about his job on the Six o’clock news and the reporting he did around the world.
“Also, I have to say one of the kindest man you would ever wish to meet.”
Jon added: “Yeah it has been a tough time in the news rooms, so many people knew him so well, he was such an integral part of the BBC operation for so long, he was a top bloke and he will be much missed.”
Yesterday, their BBC Breakfast colleague Naga Munchetty broke down in tears as she revealed the news of George’s death on her BBC Radio 5 Live show.
The audibly upset presenter interrupted a sports bulletin and said: “We’ve had the very sad news that our colleague George Alagiah, BBC presenter – you all know him – who has been living with bowel cancer since 2014 – he has since stepped back from presenting BBC News.
“We’ve just heard the news he has died aged 65. We’ve just heard that from his agent.”
As her voice continued to break, Naga said: “Apologies for the emotion in my voice – he was so loved in our news room.
“We’ve had that news, we’ll bring you more a little bit later, Rebecca apologies for the interruption, you have the rest of the sport.”
Later in the show, Naga was still emotional as she spoke of her love for George.
She said: “Our beloved colleague, George Alagiah, BBC News reporter, established reporter and correspondent, presenter who whenever he delivered the news you knew you were in safe hands.
“He was a voice we trusted and he was someone I can personally say I loved, he supported me greatly…”
She then had to swallow hard to try and keep her emotions in check as she continued: “Throughout my career…apologies for the emotion in my voice but I do think this will be reflected in our newsroom and our thoughts of course primarily go out to those who loved him dearly and his family.”
Jon and Sally discussed how great George was both on and off camera
BBC Breakfast airs daily from 6am on BBC One.
