PALS of Rageh Omaar have opened up about the ITV star’s health.
The 56-year-old was at the helm of the News At Ten last week when he became noticeably unwell last week.
Just minutes into the show, those watching at home noticed how the journalist and anchor appeared shaky on screen and was struggling to speak.
On Saturday ITV released a statement revealing that he was recovering at home.
And now friends of Rageh have told The Times that he is “up and about and doing ok”.
Despite appearing unwell just minutes into the show – he was allowed to complete the full programme.
In a statement over the weekend, Rageh said that he had been “determined to finish presenting the programme”.
But many believe staff at ITV should have stepped in before the end of the show.
One insider explained: “There are big questions about why he was allowed to go on air.
“Perhaps they thought, ‘He is a pro and the adrenaline will kick in when he gets on air.’
“Even if you think that he was just having an off day, you don’t need a medical degree to see that it was clear when you watched that something was seriously wrong.”
ITV’s statement read: “We appreciate viewers of 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.”
In his own statement, Rageh added: “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.”
Many viewers took to social media to share their anger that Rageh was not pulled off the broadcast sooner.
One even accused producers of failing their ‘duty of care’.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, the viewer raged: “Hope you’re OK @ragehomaar. I was appalled to see that@itvnews let you continue the broadcast.
“I’d have pulled you off at the first VT. Raises questions about duty of care.”
Who is ITV News presenter Rageh Omaar?
Rageh has been a familiar face on British screens for years on both the BBC and ITV
Rageh, 56, was born July 19, 1967 and is a Somali-born British journalist and writer – best known as a BBC world affairs correspondent, where he made his name reporting from Iraq.
He was born in Mogadishu, and moved to the UK when he was just two.
Rageh started his TV career at the BBC in 2004 where he worked in Ethiopia as the broadcaster’s first Africa correspondent.
In January 2013, he moved to ITV News where he became special correspondent.
The following year he was promoted International Affairs Editor and has became a regular fronting both the lunchtime and evening news bulletins since 2017.
On September 19, 2022, he was one of the Royal reporters covering the funeral of Queen Elizabeth.
Away from our screens, Rageh is married to Georgiana Rose Montgomery-Cuninghame and they have three children.
Another agreed, posting: “Just seen the video on TikTok of last night’s ITV News. I hope Rageh Omaar makes a full recovery. I’m genuinely surprised that nobody pulled him off air. Yes, it was a live broadcast but clearly he required attention.”
An ICU nurse watching tweeted ITV News telling them she called urging he be taken off air, adding that an emergency ambulance should have been summoned.
Former ITV News correspondent Angus Walker has also criticised the bulletin’s producers for not stepping in earlier amid the concern.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, Angus revealed what goes on behind the scenes and said this scenario has played out before.
He wrote: “Wishing #RagehOmaar well. On a Fri eve the@itvnews newsroom is pretty empty even as News at Ten is on air but there is a duty Editor on call precisely to make any big calls.
“I’ve been asked to step in for a colleague who fell ill just before going live – can and has been done.”
The programme was later axed from being re-aired on the channel’s +1 service as the broadcaster confirmed he was receiving medical treatment.
