Beloved BBC journalist George Alagiah succumbs to battle with cancer

George Alagiah: A Respected and Beloved Journalist

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George Alagiah, a renowned BBC journalist and newsreader, has sadly passed away at the age of 67 after a long battle with bowel cancer. Known for his brilliant career in journalism, Alagiah was highly respected and admired by his colleagues and viewers alike. The news of his passing has sparked an outpouring of moving tributes from all corners of the world.

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Born in Sri Lanka, Alagiah moved to Portsmouth, England, with his family during his secondary school years. He later pursued a degree in politics at Durham University, where he began his journey in journalism as a writer and editor for the student newspaper Palatinate. It was during his time at Durham that Alagiah met his future wife, Frances Robathan, and the couple went on to have two children.

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Durham University, where Alagiah studied, paid a heartfelt tribute to the former student, describing him as one of the finest journalists of his generation. Professor Karen O'Brien, Vice-Chancellor and Warden of the university, expressed pride in Alagiah's achievements and extended condolences to his family, friends, and colleagues. The university's tribute joined a wave of tributes from the broadcasting community, with Alagiah's BBC colleagues sharing their grief on live broadcasts.

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George Alagiah's career in journalism spanned several decades, during which he covered significant world events and gained a reputation as a highly respected television journalist. He reported on various crises, including the famine and US intervention in Somalia, the genocide in Rwanda, and the ethnic cleansing in Kosovo. Alagiah's reporting was always enriched by his personal experiences, having witnessed Africa's "wind of change" while growing up in Ghana during the 1960s.

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Throughout his career, George Alagiah was a passionate advocate for the power of journalism and the role of the BBC as a trusted and authoritative source of news. He firmly believed in the importance of a public service broadcaster that provided trustworthy and reliable information. Alagiah spoke out about issues of race and multiculturalism in the United Kingdom, as well as the need for diversity within the BBC itself.

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George Alagiah's diagnosis of bowel cancer in 2014 marked a turning point in his career. He underwent surgery and returned to work the following year, but his treatment necessitated further absences, leading to his decision to step down from presenting in late 2022. Despite his illness, Alagiah's spirit, strength, and courage were admired by all who knew him.