Viewers and colleagues said it was "fantastic news" to see George Alagiah again as he returned to his BBC News post after cancer treatment.
BBC News presenter George Alagiah made a comeback today after an extensive battle with cancer. The 66-year-old was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014 and has since gone through 17 rounds of chemotherapy.
In 2020, George tested positive for covid, forcing him to take a short break from the newsroom. Last year George explained his cancer had also spread and he would be stepping back yet again to focus on his health.
READ MORE: Good Morning Britain's Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid reach out to BBC's George Alagiah
George tweeted he would be returning this evening and that it is also the anniversary of his diagnosis. He said: "I’ll be back in the @BBCNews studio today after months of treatment,” Alagiah told his social media followers. “Pure coincidence - it’s 8 years to the day since I was told I had stage 4 #bowelcancer. So good to be with the News at Six team again."
The presenter was welcomed back by colleagues and viewers who said it was "great to see him" again and that they "missed him." Former BBC science editor David Shukman said: "Really delighted that the wonderful @BBCAlagiah is returning to our screens tonight. George, very best wishes".
A viewer said: "Fantastic news, a very welcome return. George Alagiah is definitely one of the best newsreaders on the BBC. Wishing him a full recovery and all the best to him and his family." Another added: "Lovely to see @georgealagiah on the Six O Clock news tonight. I do hope he is well. @BBCNews".
George has gone on record as saying he thinks cancer "will get him in the end." He said: "My doctor’s very good at every now and again hitting me with a big red bus full of drugs, because the whole point about cancer is it bloody finds a way through and it gets you in the end,” he said on the Desperately Seeking Wisdom podcast. Probably… It will get me in the end. I’m hoping it’s a long time from now, but I’m very lucky."
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