Advertisement

George Alagiah 'absolutely gutted' to withdraw from BBC newsroom amid coronavirus outbreak

Presenter and newsreader George Alagiah in the BBC World News studio, 01/07/2008 (Photo by Jeff Overs/BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images)
Presenter and newsreader George Alagiah in the BBC World News studio, 01/07/2008 (Photo by Jeff Overs/BBC News & Current Affairs via Getty Images)
Coronavirus
Coronavirus

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."

Read more: Soaps to include handwashing reminders amid coronavirus outbreak

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.

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.

Latest coronavirus news, updates and advice

Live: Follow all the latest updates from the UK and around the world

Fact-checker: The number of Covid-19 cases in your local area

Explained: Symptoms, latest advice and how it compares to the flu

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.

Susanna Reid attending the TRIC Awards 2020 held at the Grosvenor Hotel, London. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday March 10, 2020. See PA story SHOWBIZ TRIC. Photo credit should read: Ian West/PA Wire (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)
Susanna Reid attending the TRIC Awards 2020 held at the Grosvenor Hotel, London. PA Photo. Picture date: Tuesday March 10, 2020. (Photo by Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)

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’."