ITV News 'scrambled' to convince Rageh Omaar to come off air amid illness but news host refused
ITN news reader Rageh Omaar left ITV bosses and viewers in a panic when he suddenly fell ill live on air – but he refused to hand over his bulletin to a stand-in anchor.
The long-standing presenter started to noticeably struggle with his words during a report on weekend leisure time towards the end of the news programme on Friday. However, the 56-year-old presenter was adamant that he was going to complete the bulletin despite growing concern from bosses in the studio.
Straight after the show, Rageh was rushed to hospital where he immediately received treatment. It remains unconfirmed as to the nature of his illness but experts believe that he was showing early signs of a mini-stroke, called a transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
An ITV News source told Mail on Sunday: “The programme team were trying to replace him when they realised there was a problem. They sent the standby presenter to the set to take over but he insisted on remaining on air.
“No-one could get him out of his chair. He refused to move. Even when he was told he had to go and that the team had called for medical help. Everyone did everything they could to help him. Rageh is a consummate professional. He was determined to finish what he had started. It was an awful, awful night.”
Rageh was discharged the following day and is spending time at home recovering with his family. The mini-stroke condition, TIA, is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain caused by a travelling blood clot or the “furring” of the arteries.
ITN News presenter Rageh Omaar falls in live on air and was rushed to hospital for a suspected mini-stroke
Fiona Clark, who is a staff nurse, said she called ITV at 10.30pm and informed them that “as an ICU nurse who worked in stroke, that Rageh Omaar required an emergency ambulance, he was dysphasic, drooped left eye, slurred speech and agitated all Fast symptoms”.
The Fast acronym – stands for face, arms, speech and time – and is a quick test to identify if someone is having a stroke. Soon after, Rageh issued statement to thank viewers and his team at ITV. 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.”
He added: “At the time, I was determined to finish presenting the programme. I am grateful for all the support I’ve been given.” But viewers have now criticised ITV News for failing in its duty of care to Rageh, despite not knowing what was happening. Viewers inundated social media for television regulator Ofcom to investigate ITV’s handling of the situation.
An ITV spokesman said that they appreciated News at Ten viewers were “concerned about Rageh Omaar’s well-being”. They added: “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 father of three made his name as a foreign correspondent for the BBC during the invasion of Iraq and the fall of Baghdad in 2003. Three years later, he jumped ship and moved to Al Jazeera English. And by 2013, he became a special correspondent and presenter at ITV.
The Mirror has contacted Rageh Omaar and ITV for a comment.
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