Rageh Omaar rushed for medical treatment after viewers' alarm as he fell ill on TV and stumbled over words

27 April 2024, 07:07 | Updated: 27 April 2024, 16:12

Rageh Omaar is now 'recovering at home' following medical treatment, after the journalist and newsreader fell ill during a live television broadcast on Friday night.

Omaar, 56, was hosting the News at Ten programme on ITV when he began to visibly struggle while reading bulletins.

It remains unclear what happened to him, but the broadcaster later said he was being cared for.

"We are aware that viewers are concerned about Rageh Omaar's wellbeing," a spokesperson said.

"Rageh became unwell while presenting News at Ten on Friday and is now receiving medical care.

"He thanks everyone for their well wishes."

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The programme was also pulled from the schedules for the channel to be broadcast on an hour delay, telling viewers that they were "temporarily unable to bring you our +1 service".

Omaar appeared to stumble over his words during the 30-minute programme, with viewers quick to voice their concern.

One said: "If he's ill they have a duty of care to him, if he was under the influence they have a responsibility to the viewers.

"Seriously hope he is OK because that was tough to watch."

A second said: "What happened to him, is he ok & why didn't they take him off air?"

A third viewer added: "I thought he was just having problems with the auto cue but I hope he's feeling better."

Omaar is an award-winning journalist who rose to prominence during the invasion of Iraq in 2003.