Tributes have been pouring in from across the worlds of broadcast, journalism and politics, following the death of BBC newsreader George Alagiah.
On Monday, the BBC announced the broadcaster had died at the age of 67, after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2014.
George has subsequently been remembered as a “beautiful man” and “phenomenal journalist” who was “universally loved”.
BBC colleague Clive Myrie paid emotional on-air tribute to George as he told viewers of the BBC’s News At One the news on Monday.
“On a personal note, George touched all of us here at in the BBC newsroom with his kindness and generosity, his warmth and his good humour. I loved him as mentor, colleague and friend,” he said.
Naga Munchetty also fought back tears as she broke the news to listeners of her BBC Radio 5Live show.
“Apologies for the emotion in my voice – he was so loved in our news room,” she said. “We’ve had that news, we’ll bring you more a little bit later.”
Later in the programme, she said: “Our beloved colleague, George Alagiah, BBC News reporter, established reporter and correspondent, presenter who whenever he delivered the news you knew you were in safe hands.
“He was a voice we trusted and he was someone I can personally say I loved, he supported me greatly… Throughout my career... apologies for the emotion in my voice but I do think this will be reflected in our newsroom and our thoughts of course primarily go out to those who loved him dearly and his family.”
Meanwhile, Labour leader Keir Starmer said he was “deeply saddened” by George’s death, noting on Twitter that “British journalism has lost a talent”.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan also praised how his “decades of reporting helped break down barriers” in a post on the social media site.
Many of George’s BBC colleagues past and present and other figures from the journalism industry shared tributes on social media:
In a statement, BBC director-general Tim Davie said: “Across the BBC, we are all incredibly sad to hear the news about George. We are thinking of his family at this time.
“George was one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation who reported fearlessly from across the world as well as presenting the news flawlessly.
“He was more than just an outstanding journalist, audiences could sense his kindness, empathy and wonderful humanity. He was loved by all and we will miss him enormously.”
George first joined the BBC as a foreign affairs correspondent in 1989, going on to win various accolades for his journalism, and was appointed an OBE for services to the profession in 2008.
Since 2003, he had been the regular presenter of BBC News at Six, as well as hosting News at One and News at Six.
George underwent 17 rounds of chemotherapy to treat his advanced bowel cancer after he was first diagnosed in 2014.
He was back on presenting duties in 2015 after making progress against the disease, but it returned less than two years later, with George sharing doctors had discovered a further spread last year.
George is survived by his wife of 40 years, Frances Robathan, their two sons and three grandchildren.
