BBC News at 6 presenter George Alagiah is to return tonight (Wednesday January 23) after a year off to battle cancer.
Fellow newsreader Sophie Raworth announced the news on Tuesday’s show saying:
“Tomorrow, George Alagiah will be here, so do join him at 6.”
She then tweeted on Wednesday morning to tease him about trying to slip back into work without a fanfare!
George wrote to her: “There goes my hopes of slipping back into the studio unnoticed! Thanks to all for good wishes. We’ve got the cancer in a holding pattern so it’s back to work with colleagues I respect and the viewers who make it worthwhile.”
Slipping back unnoticed after a year?! Unlikely @BBCAlagiah. We are delighted to have you back tonight…at 6 on @BBCOne Be there.
X https://t.co/iArsxmWQNS— sophieraworth (@sophieraworth) January 23, 2019
Sophie tweeted him back: “Slipping back unnoticed after a year?! Unlikely @BBCAlagiah. We are delighted to have you back tonight.”
She went on to share a picture of him back in the newsroom on Wednesday – complete with a new beard.
Back with a beard…1st time on air since December 2017. Join @BBCAlagiah on @BBCOne for tonight’s #BBCNewsSix pic.twitter.com/3TmuCdQjqE
— sophieraworth (@sophieraworth) January 23, 2019
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George was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014, which he discovered had spread to his lymph nodes and liver. He had extensive chemotherapy before being given the all clear in 2015.
But the disease returned and he began further treatment in January 2018. In a statement from his agent, he said:
“My brilliant doctors are determined to get me back to a disease-free state and I know they have the skill to do just that,” he said.
“I learned last time around how important the support of family and friends is and I am blessed in that department. I genuinely feel positive as I prepare for this new challenge.”
At the time he tweeted his 38k followers and said: “Always knew cancer could come back but still tough dealing with disappointment. Harder for my family. I know what I have to do: stay calm, stay content, stay fit and let doctors do their best.”
Always knew cancer could come back but still tough dealing with disappointment. Harder for my family. I know what I have to do: stay calm, stay content, stay fit and let doctors do their best.
— George Alagiah (@BBCAlagiah) January 15, 2018
He has been vocal about the need to screen early for bowel cancer, tweeting in March last year that his own cancer was caught very late.
In an interview with The Sunday Times he revealed if he had been screened like they do in Scotland, his cancer would have been caught much earlier.
My cancer was caught late, very late. Earlier screening is the key. Simply no reason why others should have to go through all the treatment that I’ve had. https://t.co/QTxWafmxZO
— George Alagiah (@BBCAlagiah) March 25, 2018
Fans are thrilled to have George back on their screens.
They responded to Sophie’s tweets with joy.
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Are you looking forward to seeing George on the news again? Leave us a comment on our Facebook page @EntertainmentDailyFix and let us know what you think.