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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Harry Rutter

Viewers devastated as Al Roker misses Thanksgiving Day Parade for first time in 27 years

Today fans shared their devastation as weatherman Al Roker missed his first Thanksgiving Day Parade in 27 years due to health problems.

The NBC star, 68, has presented the annual parade, currently in its 96th year, since 1995. But he was noticeably absent from celebrations this year.

Al normally presents the Today show coverage alongside co-stars Hoda Kotb and Savannah Guthrie, but was unable to attend after issues with blood clots.

He was rushed to hospital earlier this month and has been suffering with the ongoing complications.

Despite only leaving the hospital today, Al did manage to catch some of today's parade coverage on TV, sharing a selfie with fans on Instagram.

Al managed to catch some of the parade on TV (alroker/Instagram)

"Back home in time to catch a little bit of the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," he penned alongside the smiling snap. "Missing being next to Savannah and Hoda," he added.

Breaking his health news to his followers, he previously posted: “So many of you have been thoughtfully asking where I’ve been."

Taking to Instagram on November 18, he said: "Last week I was admitted to the hospital with a blood clot in my leg which sent some clots into my lungs.

"After some medical whack-a-mole, I am so fortunate to be getting terrific medical care and on the way to recovery."

He has presented the celebrations since 1995 (Nathan Congleton/NBC via Getty Images)
He was absent this year due to ongoing health issues (alroker/Instagram)

His ongoing condition meant he was unable to present this year's celebrations, but his co-stars did assure viewers this afternoon that Al was "doing great".

Fans flocked to Twitter to express their sadness over Al's absense, with one saying: "It's not a parade without Al Roker," attaching a broken heart emoji.

Another said: "Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family, Al! I hope you're feeling better soon!" While a third penned: "Get well Al. Wishing all the best to you and your family."

"Happy Thanksgiving Al. So grateful your on the path to recovery. All the best to you and your family!" a fourth Tweeted.

Al said he was 'missing' presenting the annual show (NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images)

Another Al fan posted: "Was hoping for a surprise appearance from @alroker this morning at #MacysThanksgivingDayParade."

They added: "Hopefully he’s resting up for an epic return soon." While a final Tweeted: "Missing u at the parade. It is not the Macy’s thanksgiving parade without Al Roker. Thanksgiving is cancelled."

Mariah Carey took centre stage at this year's celebrations, reducing fans to tears as she welcomed her children onto the stage.

The unofficial Queen of Christmas, 52, sent fans into a frenzy when her kids Monroe and Moroccan joined her for her closing number All I Want For Christmas Is You.

Mariah finished off the celebrations today in New York (NBC)

She shares the 11-year-olds with her ex-husband Nick Cannon, who just announced the birth of his 11th child, with another still on the way.

"Didn't expect to start crying with joy upon seeing Mariah's gorgeous twins at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade," Tweeted one follower.

They added that the kids were "celebrating their mum's legacy with her".

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