Durham University pay tribute to ex-student George Alagiah

The award-winning journalist, who presented the BBC News at Six for the past 20 years, was first diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014.

He died on Monday, July 24, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

A statement from his agent Mary Greenham said: “George fought until the bitter end but sadly that battle ended earlier today.

“George was deeply loved by everybody who knew him, whether it was a friend, a colleague or a member of the public. He simply was a wonderful human being.”

George Alagiah's career with the BBC began in 1989. Picture: PA (Image: PA)

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Mr Alagiah studied Politics at Durham University, where he also met his future wife.

He edited the student newspaper Palatinate and returned to receive an honorary degree in 2007.

Professor Karen O’Brien, vice-chancellor and warden of Durham University, said: “George Alagiah was one of the finest journalists of his generation.

“We are so proud of his achievements as a journalist of the highest integrity and calibre, who was a shining inspiration for so many others in his profession. 

 “We are very sorry to hear of his death, following his long battle with cancer, and extend our deepest condolences to his family, friends and colleagues.”

George Alagiah has lost his battle with bowel cancer. Picture: PA (Image: PA)

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He joined the BBC in 1989 and spent many years as one of its leading foreign correspondents before moving into presenting.

Alagiah was often a specialist in Africa and covered the civil wars in Somalia and Liberia as well as the genocide in Rwanda 20 years ago.

He was nominated for a Bafta in 1994 for his coverage of Saddam Hussein’s genocidal campaign against the Kurds of northern Iraq and was named Amnesty International’s Journalist of the Year in 1994 for reporting on the civil war in Burundi.

He first began hosting the 6pm news bulletin in early 2003 but stepped up to front it solo four years later following the departure of his co-host, Natasha Kaplinsky.

George Alagiah. Picture: PA (Image: PA)

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BBC director-general Tim Davie said: “Across the BBC, we are all incredibly sad to hear the news about George. We are thinking of his family at this time.

“George was one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from across the world as well as presenting the news flawlessly.

“He was more than just an outstanding journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him enormously.”

Appearing in a campaign in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support in 2022, speaking about the impact of his own experience of living with stage four bowel cancer, Alagiah said: “People always ask me how I cope and it’s the hardest question…

“The challenge at first was getting my cancer diagnosis straight in my head – despite having so much going for me, a successful career and a loving family, here I was just being told I was dying.”

Picture: PA (Image: PA)

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Before joining the BBC, Alagiah worked as a print journalist and went on to write a number of books including A Home From Home, which looked at what it means to be British.

Throughout his illustrious career, he also presented other shows such as Mixed Britannia, looking at the UK’s mixed-race population.

He was made an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours.

He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Frances Robathan, their two sons and three grandchildren.