George Alagiah

George Maxwell Alagiah was born in Colombo, Ceylon, on 22 November 1955.{{Cite news |date=16 June 2005 |title=George Alagiah |url=https://www.tvnewsroom.co.uk/biography-images/george-alagiah-953/ |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=TV Newsroom |language=en |last1=Larkin |first1=Johnnie }}{{Cite web |date=24 November 2018 |title=George Alagiah |url=https://www.migrationmuseum.org/distinguished-friends/george-alagiah-obe/ |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=Migration Museum {{!}} The story of movement into and out of the UK |archive-date=26 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526042802/https://www.migrationmuseum.org/distinguished-friends/george-alagiah-obe/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite book |title=People of Today |date=2006 |publisher=Debrett's Peerage Limited |pages=15 |isbn=9781870520324 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=7KA-AQAAIAAJ&q=george+alagiah+%2222+november%22 |access-date=20 October 2022}} His parents, Donald Ratnarajah Alagiah (c. 1925–2013), a civil engineer, later a public health engineering consultant for the World Health Organization,A Home From Home, George Alagiah, Little, Brown Book Group, 2016,{{cite web | url=https://archives.dailynews.lk/2013/02/28/main_Obituaries.asp | title=Obituaries | Online edition of Daily News - Lakehouse Newspapers }} and Therese Karunaiamma (née Santiapillai; died 1996),{{cite web | url=https://www.thegazette.co.uk/notice/L-55150-108 | title=Therese ALAGIAH | | the Gazette }}A Passage to Africa, George Alagiah, 2008, front matter{{cite news | url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2023/jul/24/george-alagiah-obituary | title=George Alagiah obituary | newspaper=The Guardian | date=24 July 2023 | last1=Douglas | first1=Torin }} were Ceylon Tamils.{{cite news |last=Gupte |first=Pranay |title=Coming Soon to America With News of the World |url=http://www.nysun.com/new-york/coming-soon-to-america-with-news-of-the-world/33901/ |work=New York Sun |date=6 June 2006 |access-date=25 June 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110613233107/http://www.nysun.com/new-york/coming-soon-to-america-with-news-of-the-world/33901/ |archive-date=13 June 2011 |url-status=live}} In 1961, his parents moved to Ghana in West Africa, where he had his primary education at Christ the King International School.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/biographies/biogs/news/georgealagiah.shtml |title=BBC Press Office: George Alagiah |access-date=25 July 2010}} He had four sisters.{{Cite web |title=My family values: George Alagiah {{!}} Family |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2010/jul/17/george-alagiah-family-values |access-date=24 April 2022 }} His secondary education took place at St John's College, an independent Roman Catholic school in Portsmouth, England, after which he studied politics at Van Mildert College, Durham University. While at Durham, he wrote for and became editor of the student newspaper Palatinate and was a sabbatical officer of Durham Students' Union.

In the 1980s, after leaving university, he worked for South Magazine, becoming Africa Editor.{{Cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Hannah J |last2=Waterson |first2=Jim |date=24 July 2023 |title=BBC newsreader George Alagiah dies aged 67 |newspaper=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2023/jul/24/bbc-newsreader-george-alagiah-dies-aged-67 |access-date=24 July 2023}}

Alagiah returned to his grandfather's original home in Sri Lanka in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami to survey the damage. The family's former home had been destroyed, but he was able to recognise an old well where he had played with his sisters, although the well had become unsalvageable.

Alagiah joined the BBC in 1989 after seven years in print journalism with South Magazine.{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/newswatch/ukfs/hi/newsid_3220000/newsid_3223900/3223966.stm |title=NewsWatch: George Alagiah |access-date=28 December 2006 |publisher=BBC News |date=26 June 2006}} Before becoming a presenter, he was Developing World correspondent, based in London, and then Southern Africa correspondent in Johannesburg. As one of the BBC's leading foreign correspondents, he reported on events ranging from the genocide in Rwanda to the plight of the Marsh Arabs in southern Iraq, as well as the civil wars in Afghanistan, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Kosovo, and Somalia.

In 1999, Alagiah became the deputy anchor of the BBC One O'Clock News and BBC Nine O'Clock News. He was the presenter of BBC Four News from its launch in 2002; the programme was later relaunched as The World and then another edition of World News Today. In January 2003 he joined the BBC Six O'Clock News, which he co-presented with Sophie Raworth until October 2005, and with Natasha Kaplinsky until October 2007. In December 2007, he became the sole presenter of the Six O'Clock News. In 2006, he began presenting World News Today on BBC World News and BBC Two, which was rebranded GMT on 1 February 2010. He last appeared on the programme in 2014.{{Cite web |last=Osborne |first=Samuel |date=24 July 2023 |title=BBC newsreader George Alagiah has died |url=https://news.sky.com/story/bbc-newsreader-george-alagiah-has-died-12926595 |access-date=24 July 2023 |website=Sky News}} He was formerly a relief presenter on BBC News at Ten, presenting mainly Monday to Thursday when main presenters Huw Edwards and Fiona Bruce were unavailable.{{cite web |title=BBC newsreader George Alagiah dies at age of 67 following battle with cancer |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/showbiz/bbc-newsreader-george-alagiah-dies-bowel-cancer-b1096347.html |website=Evening Standard |date=24 July 2023 |access-date=24 July 2023}} In October 2011, Alagiah presented Mixed Britannia, a three-part documentary series on the history of interracial marriage in the United Kingdom.{{cite news |last1=Hogan |first1=Phil |title=Rewind TV: Hidden; Mixed Britannia; Boardwalk Empire – review |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2011/oct/09/hidden-mixed-britannia-boardwalk-review |access-date=11 August 2023 |work=The Guardian |date=9 October 2011}}

A specialist on Africa and the developing world, Alagiah interviewed, among others, Nelson Mandela, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, former Secretary-General of the United Nations Kofi Annan and President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe. His other documentaries and features include reports on why affirmative action in America is a "Lost Cause", for the Assignment programme, Saddam Hussein's genocidal campaign against the Kurds of northern Iraq for the BBC's Newsnight programme and a report on the last reunion of the veterans of Dunkirk.

In 2000, Alagiah was part of the BBC team which collected a BAFTA award for its coverage of the Kosovo conflict.{{cite web |title='One of the best': George Alagiah obituary as long-serving BBC newsreader passes away |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/george-alagiah-obit-bbc-presenters-b2380846.html |website=The Independent |access-date=24 July 2023 |language=en |date=24 July 2023}} He won numerous awards including Best International Report at the Royal Television Society in 1993, and in 1994 was the overall winner of the Amnesty International UK Media Awards.{{cite web |title=My Life In Media: George Alagiah |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/media/my-life-in-media-george-alagiah-531442.html |website=The Independent |access-date=24 July 2023 |language=en |date=7 February 2005}} He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2008 New Year Honours for services to journalism.{{London Gazette|issue=58557|page=8|supp=y|date=29 December 2007}}

His appearances at literary festivals included Cheltenham, Keswick, Hay-on-Wye and London, and he spoke at The Royal Geographical Society, the Royal Society of Arts and the Royal Overseas League. He was on the board of the Royal Shakespeare Company.{{cite web |title=Who's Who – Royal Shakespeare Company |url=https://www.rsc.org.uk/about-us/whos-who |website=Royal Shakespeare Company |access-date=24 July 2023}}

From 2002 to 2009, Alagiah was a patron of The Fairtrade Foundation,{{cite web |url=http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/resources/films/georgealagiahvideomessage.aspx |title=A message from George Alagiah |website=Fairtrade Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090928070555/http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/resources/films/georgealagiahvideomessage.aspx |archive-date=28 September 2009 |access-date=25 July 2010}} but in July 2009 he was obliged to resign by BBC Management, who claimed professional conflict of interest.{{cite web |url=http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/press_office/press_releases_and_statements/august_2009/statement_on_george_alagiah_as_patron_of_the_fairtrade.aspx |title=Statement on George Alagiah as Patron of the Fairtrade Foundation |date=5 August 2009 |website=Fairtrade Foundation |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090811010950/http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/press_office/press_releases_and_statements/august_2009/statement_on_george_alagiah_as_patron_of_the_fairtrade.aspx |archive-date=11 August 2009 |access-date=25 June 2010}}{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8183343.stm |publisher=BBC News |title=Alagiah asked to quit charity job |date=4 August 2009 |access-date=3 May 2010}} Complaints were received at the BBC from members of the public who were unhappy that Alagiah had been asked to step down. The BBC responded that in keeping with its principles of impartiality, it would be inappropriate for one of its leading journalists to be seen supporting a movement that clearly represents a controversial view of global trade.{{cite news |last=Holmwood |first=Leigh |title=BBC move on George Alagiah's Fairtrade role brings 200 complaints |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/aug/17/bbc-george-alagiah-fairtrade-foundation-complaints |work=The Guardian |location=London |date=17 August 2009 |access-date=3 May 2010}}[https://www.bbc.co.uk/complaints/response/2009/08/090814_res_georgealagiahfairtrade.shtml BBC Complaints] retrieved 25 June 2010 He was also actively involved in supporting microfinance as a tool for development, including appearances in support of Opportunity International. He became a patron of Parenting UK in 2000.

In 2010, he received the Outstanding Achievement in Television award at The Asian Awards.{{cite web |url=http://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/the-asian-awards-winners-list-153204315.html |title=The Asian Awards Winners List |date=3 November 2010 |publisher=PR Newswire}}

In 2020, his debut novel, The Burning Land, was shortlisted for a "Society of Authors" award.{{cite news |date=14 May 2020 |title=George Alagiah's debut novel up for author's award |language=en-GB |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-52660630 |access-date=14 May 2020}} The book is described as a "gripping, pacy thriller about corruption and homicide in South Africa".{{cite web |title=The Burning Land by George Alagiah {{!}} Waterstones |url=https://www.waterstones.com/book/the-burning-land/george-alagiah/9781786897923 |website=www.waterstones.com |access-date=14 May 2020}}

In April 1984, Alagiah married Frances Robathan,{{Cite web |last=Alagiah |first=George |date=2011-10-02 |title=Lucky Britain's mixed up future |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/lucky-britains-mixed-up-future-dthv5nn2jtp |access-date=2025-02-15 |website=www.thetimes.com |language=en}} whom he met at Durham University.{{cite news |url=https://www.thetimes.com/article/newsreader-george-alagiah-if-only-id-had-the-scottish-cancer-test-fpsp7bkrw |title=Newsreader George Alagiah: If only I'd had the Scottish cancer test |last=Templeton |first=Sarah-Kate |date=25 March 2018 |work=The Sunday Times |access-date=26 March 2018 |issn=0956-1382 |url-access=registration}} With their two children, Adam and Matthew, they lived in Stoke Newington, north London.{{Cite web |date=29 January 2019 |title=George Alagiah |url=https://www.hachette.co.uk/contributor/george-alagiah/ |access-date=24 April 2022 |website=Hachette UK |language=en-US}}

In April 2014, it was announced that Alagiah was being treated for colorectal cancer.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-27068861 |title=George Alagiah diagnosed with bowel cancer |date=17 April 2014 |publisher=BBC News}} A statement from the BBC said: "He is grateful for all the good wishes he has received thus far and is optimistic for a positive outcome." On 28 June, Alagiah announced on Twitter that he was making "encouraging progress".{{cite web |url=https://twitter.com/BBCAlagiah/status/482877610389565440 |title=Latest from medics – I'm making encouraging progress |publisher=George Alagiah |date=28 June 2014 |access-date=29 September 2014}} In late October 2015 he announced on Twitter that the treatment was officially over, and he returned to the BBC on 10 November.{{cite news |last=Quinn |first=Ben |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2015/oct/29/bbc-newsreader-george-alagiah-announces-cancer-treatment-is-over |title=BBC newsreader George Alagiah announces cancer treatment is over |date=29 October 2015 |work=The Guardian|access-date=15 January 2018}}{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34764659 |title=BBC newsreader George Alagiah 'clear of cancer' and back to work |publisher=BBC News |date=9 November 2015 |access-date=15 January 2018}} In January 2018 it emerged that the cancer had returned and he would undergo further treatment.{{cite news |last=Sporn |first=Natasha |title=BBC newsreader George Alagiah to undergo more treatment as cancer returns |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/stayingin/tvfilm/bbc-newsreader-george-alagiah-to-undergo-more-treatment-as-cancer-returns-a3739986.html |work=London Evening Standard |date=15 January 2018 |access-date=15 January 2018}}{{cite news |last=Weaver |first=Matthew |title=BBC newsreader George Alagiah reveals his cancer has returned |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/jan/15/bbc-newsreader-george-alagiah-reveals-his-cancer-has-returned |date=15 January 2018 |work=The Guardian |access-date=15 January 2018}}

In March 2018, in an interview with The Sunday Times, Alagiah noted that his cancer was terminal and could have been caught earlier if the screening programme in England, which is automatically offered from the age of 60, was the same as that in Scotland, where it is automatically offered from the age of 50.{{cite news |title=Scottish health system quicker to spot cancer, says George Alagiah |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/mar/25/scottish-health-system-quicker-to-spot-cancer-says-george-alagiah |date=25 March 2018 |work=The Guardian |access-date=13 May 2018 |agency=Press Association}}

In June 2020, Alagiah said that the cancer had spread to his lungs, liver and lymph nodes, but was not at a "chronic" or "terminal" stage.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52998874 |title=George Alagiah reveals his cancer has spread |publisher=BBC News |date=11 June 2020}} He stated in an interview in January 2022 that his cancer would "probably get me in the end", but that he nonetheless felt "very lucky".{{Cite news |date=2022-01-03 |title=George Alagiah: Cancer will probably get me in the end |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-59858476 |access-date=2023-08-03}} In October 2022, Alagiah announced that his cancer had spread further; he subsequently took a break from television to undergo a new course of treatment.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63234953 | title=George Alagiah takes TV break after cancer spreads | date=12 October 2022 |publisher=BBC News|access-date=13 October 2022}}

Alagiah died on 24 July 2023, at the age of 67.{{Cite web |date=24 July 2023 |title=George Alagiah: BBC journalist and newsreader dies aged 67 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-65949435 |access-date=24 July 2023 |publisher=BBC News}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Wikiquote}}

• {{IMDb name|id=1627682|name=George Alagiah}}
• [http://news.bbc.co.uk/newswatch/ukfs/hi/newsid_3220000/newsid_3223900/3223966.stm Profile from BBC Newswatch]
• [http://word.world-citizenship.org/wp-archive/337 Career (from World People's Blog)] ({{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025739/http://word.world-citizenship.org/wp-archive/337 |date=4 March 2016 }})
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20061024224657/http://bbcworld.com/insite/content/template_latestnews_press.asp?pageid=26 BBC World: George Alagiah joins BBC World to present new peak-time news programme]

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{{s-ttl|title=Deputy Presenter of BBC News at One|years=1999–2002}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Main Presenter of BBC News at Six|years= 2003–2022}}

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{{s-ttl|title=Main Presenter of GMT|years= 2010–2014}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Alagiah, George}}

Category:1955 births

Category:2023 deaths

Category:Alumni of Van Mildert College, Durham

Category:BBC World News

Category:BBC newsreaders and journalists

Category:British people of Sri Lankan Tamil descent

Category:British reporters and correspondents

Category:British television presenters

Category:Deaths from colorectal cancer in England

Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire

Category:People educated at St John's College, Portsmouth

Category:Mass media people from Colombo

Category:Sri Lankan emigrants to the United Kingdom

Category:Palatinate (newspaper) editors