Yahoo News BBC's Rory Cellan-Jones reveals Parkinson's diagnosis after viewers notice his hand shaking on screen
Rory Cellan-Jones has spoken out about his recent diagnosis with Parkinson's disease.
The BBC News technology correspondent shared the news from his personal Twitter account, after viewers spotted his hand was shaking on screen.
Cellan-Jones was working on a live news broadcast about 5G at the time.
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One viewer tweeted: “@BBCBreakfast is Rory Cellan-Jones OK? His right hand wouldn't stop shaking during that piece to camera just”
The tweet received a flurry of responses from other concerned viewers.
@BBCBreakfast is Rory Cellan-Jones OK? His right hand wouldn't stop shaking during that piece to camera just
— Richard Gage (@richg780) May 30, 2019
One said: “Trying not to speculate, but yes. Hope he’s ok.”
Trying not to speculate, but yes.
Hope he’s ok.— Gavin (Cybernat) Barrie 🏳️🌈🐕🏴👬🎮 (@jammach) May 30, 2019
Another tweeter responded: “He posted something yesterday about a research project that might indicate what’s going on. Bless him, I hope he’s doing OK.”
He posted something yesterday about a research project that might indicate what’s going on. Bless him, I hope he’s doing OK.
— 𝕁𝕖𝕟𝕒𝕙 (@jenah_w) May 30, 2019
A third added: “We were thinking the same, maybe a visit to the doc?”
We were thinking the same, maybe a visit to the doc?
— Sara (@sweelips) May 30, 2019
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A few hours later, Cellan-Jones tweeted an update on his health: “A couple of people have noticed my hand shaking in my live 5G broadcast today.
“So seems a good time to reveal that I’ve recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s.
“I’m getting good treatment and the symptoms are mild right now - so I’m carrying on as normal. Onwards and upwards!”
A couple of people have noticed my hand shaking in my live 5G broadcast today. So seems a good time to reveal that I’ve recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I’m getting good treatment and the symptoms are mild right now - so I’m carrying on as normal. Onwards and upwards!
— Rory Cellan-Jones (@ruskin147) May 30, 2019
The tweet has had a huge response, particularly from other journalists.
Newsnight’s Emma Barnett wrote: “onwards indeed xxx”
onwards indeed xxx
— Emma Barnett (@Emmabarnett) May 30, 2019
Jon Sopel, BBC North America Editor, replied: “Best to you Rory....”
Best to you Rory....
— Jon Sopel (@BBCJonSopel) May 30, 2019
Radio 4’s Evan Davis wrote: “Rory.. you are being showered with good wishes and respect. And deservedly so. Wishing you well as you deal with it.”
Rory.. you are being showered with good wishes and respect. And deservedly so. Wishing you well as you deal with it.
— Evan Davis (@EvanHD) May 30, 2019
Cellan-Jones begun his career as a researcher for the BBC's Look North, before moving to BBC Wales as a presenter.
He became business and economics correspondent in London before making his name on The Money Programme between 1990 and 1992.
BBC News hired Cellan-Jones as its technology correspondent in 2007.
He is married to Diane Coyle, and the couple have two sons together.
