ITV newsreader Rageh Omaar seen for first time since worryingly falling ill on air
Rageh Omaar has been seen for the first time since he became unwell on live TV (Picture: W8Media)
ITV newsreader Rageh Omaar has been seen in public for the first time since he became unwell on air.
In April, viewers of the News At Ten news grew concerned when the 56-year-old presenter appeared to stumble over his words while reading from the autocue.
While he managed to finish the show, Ofcom was flooded with complaints from viewers who questioned why he was allowed on TV in such a worrying state.
However, Rageh himself later said he was ‘determined’ to continue with the broadcast.
Once cameras stopped rolling, Rageh received medical attention and was soon ‘recovering at home with his family’.
In new pictures, Rageh – who rose to prominence for his reporting during the invasion of Iraq in 2003 – appears in good spirits.
The newsreader stepped out for a leisurely stroll (Picture: W8Media)
He appears to be recovering well (Picture: W8Media)
Taking a leisurely stroll in the sunshine, he cut a casual figure out near his home in Chiswick, west London.
Rageh wore black trousers and a rust-coloured fleece, as well as sandals.
He kept his head down as he walked, the sun hitting his face.
His sighting comes after colleague Charlene White shared an update on his health with fans.
‘Rageh is doing really well. I think when he wants to talk about what happened then he will,’ the Loose Women star told The Sun.
Speaking at the Bafta TV Awards, she added: ‘ITV News is a family, we have been checking up on him daily and continuously in fact to make sure he has the support he needs.’
ITV received a number of complaints after Rageh was allowed to present the News At Ten (Picture: ITV)
ITV issued a statement after Rageh became ill, thanking viewers for their support.
They said: ‘We appreciate viewers of last night’s News at Ten were concerned about Rageh Omaar’s wellbeing.
‘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.’
In his own statement, Omaar was full of praise for those who had ‘kindness and good wishes’.
He also gave a special shout-out to the medical staff and his ‘wonderful colleagues at ITV News’.
The broadcaster has thanked viewers for their support (Picture: Ken McKay/REX/Shutterstock)
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‘At the time, I was determined to finish presenting the programme,’ he insisted.
‘I am grateful for all the support I’ve been given.’
It still remains unclear what exactly happened to Rageh during the live broadcast, as he struggled at multiple points throughout.
At the time, countless viewers took to social media in an alarmed state, to the point where the matter started trending.
People said it was ‘beyond belief’ how he was able to stay on air, while others claimed he looked like he was ‘having a stroke’.
In total, Ofcom was hit with 73 complaints.
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