Rageh Omaar 'becomes unwell' live on air during ITV News at Ten bulletin

News presenter Rageh Omaar is receiving medical care after becoming “unwell” live on air during last night’s News at Ten programme.

The ITV journalist appeared to begin struggling to speak as he read the bulletins on Friday night. The 56-year-old’s demeanour sparked widespread concerns from viewers who then took to social media to share the footage.

Omaar, who serves as International Affairs Editor, has thanked everyone for their well wishes via a statement issued by ITV this morning, the BBC reports.

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"We are aware that viewers are concerned about Rageh Omaar's wellbeing," an ITV News spokesperson said. "Rageh became unwell while presenting News at Ten on Friday and is now receiving medical care.

"He thanks everyone for their well wishes."

Viewers took to social media to express their concern for the journalist. @GregScottVOs said: "Something DESPERATELY wrong with ITV newsreader, Rageh Omaar, reader of tonight’s Ten. Desperately hope he’s okay."

The broadcaster has not released any further details of Omaar's condition or what happened to him during the broadcast. However, the re-run of the broadcast on ITV +1 was pulled with a short message telling viewers that ITV was "temporarily unable to bring you our +1 service".

"We will resume shortly," it read.

Omaar first rose to prominence covering the war in Iraq for the BBC in 2003. He now covers major news stories across the world for ITV News and also presents current affairs programme On Assignment.

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