Loose Women stars make plea after ITV News presenter Rageh Omaar falls ill live on air

Loose Women stars Charlene White and Denise Welch have shared their anger over a clip of ITV newsreader Rageh Omaar on social media. Omaar fell ill during a live broadcast of ITV News at Ten on Friday evening (April 26).

He started to noticeably struggle with his words as he made a report towards the end of the programme. The presenter was rushed to hospital and received treatment.

The nature of his illness remained unconfirmed but some experts suspect he showed early signs of a mini-stroke, called a transient ischaemic attack (TIA). Omaar is said to be recovering at home now.

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Charlene has since hit out at the number of people sharing the video of Omaar falling ill, Mirror reports. She said on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter: "How about everyone stops posting and re-posting a video of a man becoming unwell live on TV.

"Who does that benefit? Sometimes real life isn't just about upping your engagement figures, and upping your likes".

Her feelings were echoed by her fellow Loose Women panellist Denise Welch who commented on Charlene's post. She said: "My thoughts exactly Charlene.

"Honestly this world [angry face emojis]." Denise's comment prompted another to add their disgust that Omaar was not taken off air to receive immediate attention.

They wrote: "Totally agree with you both but where was ITV's duty of care for the poor bloke. They should have cut the stream or went to a break immediately to get him medical attention. It's not like it was a coughing fit etc."

A ITV News source told Mail on Sunday that producers were trying to replace Omaar but he wanted to complete delivering the news. They said: "The programme team were trying to replace him when they realised there was a problem.

"They sent the standby presenter to the set to take over but he insisted on remaining on air. No-one could get him out of his chair.

"He refused to move. Even when he was told he had to go and that the team had called for medical help. Everyone did everything they could to help him.

"Rageh is a consummate professional. He was determined to finish what he had started. It was an awful, awful night."

The mini-stroke condition TIA is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain caused by a travelling blood clot or the 'furring' of the arteries. Fiona Clark, a staff nurse, said she called ITV at 10.30pm and informed them that 'as an ICU nurse who worked in stroke, that Rageh Omaar required an emergency ambulance, he was dysphasic, drooped left eye, slurred speech and agitated all Fast symptoms'.