ITV News reports that UK news anchor Rageh Omar is receiving medical attention after becoming ill while live on air.
As Omar was seen straining to read the autocue toward the conclusion of the News at Ten bulletin, viewers took to social media on Friday night to voice their concerns. He was able to give a brief farewell before sitting at the studio desk and watching the credits roll.
ITV announced on Saturday morning that it was pulling the episode from its planned rerun on its one-hour delay channel.
“We understand that viewers are worried about Rageh Omaar’s health. Rageh fell ill on Friday while hosting News at Ten, and she is currently in the hospital.” He expresses gratitude to all for their kind words.
In addition to serving as the broadcaster’s international affairs editor and a regular anchor for the main news program, Omar, 56, hosts the current affairs program On Assignment from around the globe.
He had previously been a foreign correspondent for the BBC, where in 2003, during the second Gulf War, he became a well-known figure on British television. Known as “the Scud stud,” he reported live from rooftops while missiles were flying overhead.
