BBC newsreader George Alagiah's emotional final words read out at memorial
The emotional final words of the late newsreader George Alagiah, who passed away following his battle with cancer, were read out by his fellow news anchor Sophie Raworth at the end of his memorial service.
BBC stars including Nick Robinson and Antiques Roadshow host Fiona Bruce attended the ceremony held at St Martin In The Fields church in Trafalgar Square, to pay their respects. Four months ago George tragically passed away from terminal bowel cancer aged 67, after he was first diagnosed in 2014. Also in attendance was his widow, Frances Robathan and Princess Anne's husband Vice Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence.
George Alagiah's final words read out at memorial serviceAt the end of the service, Sophie Raworth stood up in front of the prestigious crowd and read out George's emotional final words. She said: "We end the programme today with George in his own words. 'If you haven’t already told the people you love, that you love them, tell them. If you haven’t already told them how vulnerable you sometimes feel, tell them. If you want to tell them that you would like to be with them until the front hall stairs feel like Everest, tell them. You never know what is coming around the corner. And if, lucky you, there is nothing around the corner, then at least you got your defence in first'."
Three weeks before his death, George had shared the words he wanted at his memorial with his wife. He had also said: "It is a painful yet exclusive luxury to be living with cancer because for the most part it is a story of a death foretold. Many of us cancer patients know that our time is running out so there is time for reflection. It is not the brutality of a car crash." George's last appearance on BBC News was in October last year before he announced he was taking time off because his cancer had spread, but he had pre-recorded a clip for the broadcaster.
The presenter was the face of BBC News at Six since 2007. George was diagnosed with bowel cancer nine years ago and underwent 17 rounds of chemotherapy and five operations to treat the disease in 2014, which had spread to his liver and lymph nodes. The father-of-two returned to work in April last year following his treatment and credited his job with "keeping energised and motivated". But, just six months later in October of that year, he told viewers that he needed to take a step back, saying, "It's back to the tough stuff" after he was told that the disease had returned.
BBC's highest-paid newsreaders - Huw Edwards, Fiona Bruce and Sophie Raworth
Just hours after his death was announced, his friend and former colleague Sophie Raworth explained that she had seen George a few weeks beforehand and said that he had hoped to say a final farewell to viewers, live from the studio. She said: "He didn’t get the chance. So we have done it for him," she said before adding: "I'll leave you now with George Alagiah in his own words."
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