BBC newsreader George Alagiah on hiatus to receive treatment after cancer ‘spreads further’

BBC newsreader George Alagiah has stepped away from presenting News At Six after scans showed his cancer has spread further.

The 66-year-old newsreader was first diagnosed with the disease in 2014 and then again in 2017.

Alagiah returned to work in April after receiving more treatment.

Alagiah said of the new diagnosis: “A recent scan showed that my cancer has spread further so it’s back to some tough stuff.

“I’m missing my colleagues. Working in the newsroom has been such an important part of keeping energised and motivated.

“I look forward to being back in that studio as soon as I can.”

The news was confirmed by his agent Mary Greenham.

Sri Lanka-born Alagiah underwent 17 rounds of chemotherapy to treat his advanced bowel cancer in 2014.

He returned to presenting in 2015 after making progress against the disease, and said he was a “richer person” for it.

His cancer returned in December 2017 and he underwent further treatment before again returning to work.

In 2020, he tested positive for coronavirus after deciding to stop appearing in the studio during the outbreak following advice from doctors and colleagues.

Additional reporting from PA