George Alagiah wanted to hold his wife's hand 'until the end'

BBC’s George Alagiah said he wanted to hold his wife’s hand ‘until the end’ and described his fear of her having to set the table and eat alone after his death

• BBC presenter died today, aged 67, nine years after his bowel cancer diagnosis 
• He revealed that he feared leaving behind his wife of nearly 40 years, Frances  

George Alagiah revealed that he wanted to hold his beloved wife’s hand ‘until the end’ as he described the fear of leaving behind his spouse after he was diagnosed with bowel cancer nine years ago. 

The BBC newsreader, who died today aged 67 nine years after his diagnosis, previously told the Sunday Telegraph that he hoped to hold the hand of his wife of nearly 40 years, Frances Robathan, until the very end, and spoke of his fear of her having to set the table and eat alone after his death. 

The Sri Lankan-born journalist admitted that the thought of no longer being able to hold his wife’s hand ‘haunted’ him. 

‘One of the things I want to do is hold hands with my wife until the end, and am I going to be able to do that? It haunts me’, he said at the time. 

He added: ‘And I am looking out of the window at Frances setting out the tablecloth on our garden table, and it occurs to me, is she going to have to do that for herself one day, and eat on her own?’ 

The BBC newsreader, who died today aged 67 nine years after his diagnosis, previously said he hoped to hold the hand of his wife of nearly 40 years, Frances Robathan, until the very end

The couple tied the knot in 1984 and went on to have two children together, Adam and Matthew

George Alagiah – who had been the face of News At Six since 2007 – passed away ‘peacefully’ surrounded by his family

READ MORE – Obituary of fearless BBC stalwart who ‘fought until the bitter end’

He admitted in a Telegraph interview his most painful thoughts were about his family, saying: ‘I think I am an emotional man. I’m trying very hard not to get emotional. 

‘I’m not too scared for myself, but I’m here on the third floor of our house. 

‘And I am looking out of the window at Frances setting out the tablecloth on our garden table, and it occurs to me, is she going to have to do that for herself one day, and eat on her own?’

The couple tied the knot in 1984 having met when they were students together at Durham University, where George was the editor of the student paper and a sabbatical officer of the students’ union. 

Together, they had two sons, Adam and Matthew. 

Speaking on the podcast Desperately Seeking Wisdom, Alagiah talked about being diagnosed in 2014 and insisted he felt ‘very lucky’ thanks to his family. 

‘I had to stop and say, ‘Hang on a minute. If the full stop came now, would my life have been a failure?’ he said. 

‘And actually, when I look back and I looked at my journey… the family I had, the opportunities my family had, the great good fortune to bump into (Frances), who’s now been my wife and lover for all these years, the kids that we brought up… it didn’t feel like a failure.’

Alagiah was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in April 2014 before finishing treatment in October 2015 and returning to screens a month later. 

He was made an OBE in the 2008 New Year Honours list for services to journalism

Alagiah joined the BBC in 1989 and was one of the broadcaster’s leading foreign correspondents

Alagiah speaks to the audience during the 2009 reception at Clarence House, which brought together young people and policymakers 

The journalist became one of the BBC’s most renowned foreign correspondents. He is seen in 2009 during a visit to Kibera, Keyna – the largest slum in Africa 

READ MORE: Naga Munchetty breaks down in tears during live radio show as she learns George Alagiah has died aged 67 after nine-year bowel cancer battle while emotional Clive Myrie and Fiona Bruce pay tribute to ‘giant of journalism’ News at Six anchor 

Naga Munchetty burst into tears during a live radio show on Monday after revealing news of her colleague’s death. She’s seen here on BBC Breakfast

His health was back in the headlines in March 2020 when he tested positive for Covid. 

He credited his experience of fighting cancer with helping him deal with the ‘mild’ case of coronavirus. 

Alagiah was back on presenting duties in April 2022 before departing again in October after revealing that the cancer had spread to his lungs and lymph nodes. 

While sharing the news, Alagiah said: ‘A recent scan showed that my cancer has spread further so it’s back to some tough stuff.

‘I’m missing my colleagues. Working in the newsroom has been such an important part of keeping energised and motivated.

‘I look forward to being back in that studio as soon as I can.’

A statement from Alagiah’s agent, Mary Greenham, announced the news of his death today. 

It read: ‘I am so terribly sorry to inform you that George Alagiah died peacefully today, surrounded by his family and loved ones.

‘George fought until the bitter end but sadly that battle ended earlier today. George was deeply loved by everybody who knew him, whether it was a friend, a colleague or a member of the public. 

‘He simply was a wonderful human being. My thoughts are with Fran, the boys and his wider family.

Following the statement, BBC Director-General Tim Davie paid tribute to ‘one of the best and bravest journalists of his generation’. 

‘Across the BBC, we are all incredibly sad to hear the news about George’, he said. ‘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.’

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