BBC News reader George Alagiah announces break from work. Here's why

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.

It was back in 2014 that the 66-year old BBC newsreader, George Alagiah was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer.

'Energised and motivated'

The presenter has kept working as much as he can since then. According to him, the newsroom work has kept him 'energised and motivated' over the years. Last October, George announced his decision to step back from work, but in April this year, he returned to the News at Six.


But after scans revealed the spread of his bowel cancer, he again needed to step back from work. According to a statement, he is taking the leave to handle the "tough stuff".

'Spread further'

George’s agent, Mary Greenham, announced the news on social media on behalf of George that his cancer has "spread further", so he’s again back to some "tough stuff". Furthermore, he added that he’s missing his colleagues and that his work in the newsroom has kept him "energised and motivated." He continued by saying that he looks forward to coming back to the studio as early as he can.

Last month, George revealed that he had been in "extreme pain" for the last 18 months because of the "tumour site" he had at the base of his spine. According to reports from the Mirror, he was then unaware of whether or not cancer had spread to his spine.

FAQs:

1. Where was George Alagiah born?
   Colombo
2. What nationality is George Alagiah?
   British