ITV News presenter Rageh Omaar 'refused to hand over bulletin' after becoming 'unwell' live on-air
ITV bosses reportedly tried to get Rageh Omaar to hand over his bulletin to one of his co-stars after he became unwell live on air.
The ITV News international affairs editor, 56, was presenting the News At Ten programme on Friday, 26 April, when he appeared to struggle to read the news bulletins sparking concern online. Following the broadcast, ITV said the presenter had become "unwell" live on-air and was "receiving medical care".
It has been reported that Rageh insisted that he continued and refused to hand over to a replacement host from the regional news, even though after the show he was taken straight to hospital where he then spent the night after staff at the broadcaster called paramedics.
An ITV News source told The Mail on Sunday: "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."
Rageh thanked everyone for their "kindness and good wishes" on Saturday, 27 April, as he recovers at home after being treated in hospital. In a statement, he told fans he had been "determined to finish presenting the programme" and thanked his colleagues, viewers and medical staff for their support.
An ITV News spokesperson said in a statement to the PA news agency: "We appreciate viewers of last night's News At Ten were concerned about Rageh Omaar's wellbeing. Following medical treatment at hospital, he is now recovering at home with his family. We are wishing Rageh a speedy recovery and look forward to him being back on screen when he feels ready."
Rageh added in a statement shared by ITV: "I would like to thank everyone for their kindness and good wishes, especially all the medical staff, all my wonderful colleagues at ITV News, and our viewers who expressed concern. At the time, I was determined to finish presenting the programme. I am grateful for all the support I've been given."
The broadcaster pulled the News At Ten from its scheduled re-runs on ITV+1, with a message instead telling viewers that ITV were "temporarily unable to bring you our +1 service".
His colleague Chris Ship, the ITV News royal editor, wished his fellow presenter a "fast recovery" in a post to X, formerly known as Twitter. He added: "All his friends at @itvnews are thinking about him. And can I praise the @Ldn_Ambulance paramedics who were quite simply amazing. Thank you."
Marverine Cole, a newsreader for ITV's Good Morning Britain, said she wished Rageh "all the very best" in a message on social media. Channel 5 news anchor Dan Walker also sent good wishes, adding: "I hope (he) is ok and is being looked after."
Rageh is responsible for covering major news stories across the world as the international affairs editor while also presenting ITV's current affairs programme On Assignment. During his career, he was also a senior foreign correspondent for the BBC, rising to prominence during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
OK! has contacted ITV and Rageh's representatives for comment.
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