George Alagiah 'absolutely gutted' to withdraw from BBC newsroom amid coronavirus outbreak
George Alagiah has shared his upset about having to withdraw from the BBC newsroom amid the spread of coronavirus.
It comes as the 64-year-old continues to receive treatment for bowel cancer after being diagnosed in 2014.
"Absolutely gutted," he shared on Twitter on Tuesday. "After talking to colleagues and doctors I’ve decided to stay away from the newsroom.
“I’m on a few weeks cancer treatment break at the moment but, on a balance of risks, we all decided I must heed the advice for those with underlying health issues."
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The newsreader was treated for stage-four bowel cancer in 2014 and returned to TV in 2015. However, three years later in 2018 he announced he would need further treatment.
Absolutely gutted. After talking to colleagues and doctors I’ve decided to stay away from the newsroom. I’m on a few weeks cancer treatment break at the moment but, on a balance of risks, we all decided I must heed the advice for those with underlying health issues.
— George Alagiah (@BBCAlagiah) March 17, 2020
On Monday night, his agent Mary Greeham told Press Association that Alagiah was self-isolating.
Susanna Reid announced on Tuesday morning that she was self-isolating after one of her three sons exhibited symptoms.
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She appeared on Good Morning Britain via video link to speak with colleagues Piers Morgan as well as Charlotte Hawkins, who was filling in for her.
The mother-of-three shared: “One of the boys, one of the children, has a persistent cough and that came on yesterday… suddenly with these new drastic action measures, that changed yesterday afternoon, it meant if even one member of your household had either the persistent cough or a fever then you would all have to go into self-isolation for 14 days.
"So that means immediately, I thought, ‘I can’t go into work and work with you guys for 14 days’."