Latest news with #Omaar
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
ITV News star Rageh Omaar returns to screens after live health scare
Rageh Omaar has returned to ITV for the first time since falling ill during a live broadcast last year. The broadcaster, 57, had a suspected mini stroke while presenting News At Ten in April 2024, which led to widespread concern from viewers as well as Ofcom complaints questioning why he was permitted to continue. Omaar claimed producers attempted to take him off air, but said he insisted he was able to work and was allowed to finish the 30-minute programme. More than one year on, Omaar led a pre-recorded segment on west Africa on Friday (11 April), which is thought to be his first foreign dispatch after a slow return behind the scenes In concerning footage that was broadcast live, Omaar slurred and stumbled over his words but remained on air until the programme ended almost half an hour later. ITV confirmed the broadcaster had received hospital treatment and said he was 'recovering at home with his family'. A spokesperson said: '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.' The presenter subsequently issued a statement confirming that he had received medical attention after the event and thanked viewers and colleagues for their concern. He said: '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.' ITV News told The Independent they refute all allegations that they knowingly allowed the presenter to work while sick. After working for news channel Al Jazeera for a period, Omaar joined ITV News as a special correspondent in 2013 and was later promoted to ITV News' international affairs editor. He is the presenter of the broadcaster's foreign current affairs programme, ITV On Assignment.
The Independent
12-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
ITV News star Rageh Omaar returns to screens after live health scare
Rageh Omaar has returned to ITV for the first time since falling ill during a live broadcast last year. The broadcaster, 57, had a suspected mini stroke while presenting News At Ten in April 2024, which led to widespread concern from viewers as well as Ofcom complaints questioning why he was permitted to continue. Omaar claimed producers attempted to take him off air, but said he insisted he was able to work and was allowed to finish the 30-minute programme. More than one year on, Omaar led a pre-recorded segment on west Africa on Friday (11 April), which is thought to be his first foreign dispatch after a slow return behind the scenes In concerning footage that was broadcast live, Omaar slurred and stumbled over his words but remained on air until the programme ended almost half an hour later. ITV confirmed the broadcaster had received hospital treatment and said he was 'recovering at home with his family'. A spokesperson said: '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.' The presenter subsequently issued a statement confirming that he had received medical attention after the event and thanked viewers and colleagues for their concern. He said: '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.' ITV News told The Independent they refute all allegations that they knowingly allowed the presenter to work while sick. After working for news channel Al Jazeera for a period, Omaar joined ITV News as a special correspondent in 2013 and was later promoted to ITV News' international affairs editor. He is the presenter of the broadcaster's foreign current affairs programme, ITV On Assignment.
The Guardian
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Rageh Omaar returns to ITV's News at Ten after illness on live programme
The broadcaster Rageh Omaar has carried out his first foreign dispatch for ITV since he was taken to hospital last year after falling ill while presenting the News at Ten. The ITV News international affairs editor, 57, featured in a prerecorded package on west Africa on ITV's News at Ten on Friday evening. It is understood to be the first foreign assignment he has undertaken for the programme since an incident last April when he appeared shaky and had difficulty reading the news fluently. He was taken to hospital and given 'medical treatment' for an undisclosed condition. The incident caused widespread concern from viewers on social media and a rerun of the news programme was pulled from ITV's +1 channel. In a statement, Omaar said at the time: '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.' Omaar is understood to have been gradually returning to work over the past few weeks, appearing on online platforms such as ITVX. A video released on ITV News's YouTube account on Friday showed Omaar interviewing Ivorian businessman Tidjane Thiam, the leader of PDCI-RDA, the main opposition party in Ivory Coast. Omaar covers major news stories across the world, and presents ITV's current affairs programme On Assignment. Sign up to First Edition Our morning email breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion He joined ITV in 2013 as a special correspondent and presenter for ITV News, having begun his career as a print journalist in 1990 at the Voice newspaper in London before moving to Ethiopia as a freelance foreign correspondent. He became a household name during the 2003 invasion of Iraq while reporting for the BBC from a hotel rooftop in Baghdad, winning a best TV news journalist prize at the Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy that year.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Rageh Omaar set for ITV News At Ten return after health scare
Rageh Omaar is set to appear on an ITV News broadcast bulletin for the first time since his on-air health scare a year ago. The 57-year-old international affairs analyst for ITV News has been gradually returning to work, making appearances on digital platforms like ITVX. It is understood that Omaar will feature in a pre-recorded segment on West Africa during ITV's News At Ten this Friday. Last April, viewers were concerned when he seemed to have difficulty reading the news bulletins on-air, leading to him being hospitalised. At the time, Omaar expressed his determination to continue presenting and thanked his colleagues for their support. In April 2024, ITV News confirmed he had received "medical treatment at hospital" and was on the mend. READ MORE: ITV Deal or No Deal contestant's gift to Liverpool after £16,220 win READ MORE: ITV The Chase's Jenny Ryan told weight loss 'not good enough' A recent YouTube video posted on the ITV News account showed Omaar interviewing Ivorian businessman Tidjane Thiam, leader of PDCI-RDA, Ivory Coast's main opposition party. Thiam alleged to Omaar that the Government was attempting to thwart his presidential ambitions. Omaar, who covers major global news stories and presents ITV's current affairs programme On Assignment, previously served as a senior foreign correspondent for the BBC. He gained prominence during the 2003 Iraq invasion and won the best TV news journalist award at the Ethnic Multicultural Media Academy the same year. Channel 4 News recently revealed that Anushka Asthana, the deputy political editor for ITV News, will be taking on the role of US editor for the broadcaster.
