Jeremy Vine pauses show as he breaks down over death of George Alagiah
Jeremy Vine breaks down over George Alagiah
Jeremy Vine broke down live on air as he talked about the death of his friend and former colleague, George Alagiah.
George died on Monday after a nine-year battle with bowel cancer, and as his close friend paid tribute to him on BBC Radio 2, he broke down in tears.
On Tuesday’s show, he was joined by another close friend of Geroge’s, Allan Little, as he told listeners: “We received the sad news yesterday that our friend and colleague George Alagiah had died at the age of just 67.
“He was one of the BBC’s longest-serving and most respected journalists – a fixture on British TV for more than three decades, he presented the BBC News at 6 for the past 20 years.
“Before that, he was an award-winning foreign correspondent.
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“He was diagnosed with Stage Four bowel cancer in 2014 and revealed last October that it had spread further.
“Before his death, George said that having cancer for a long time gave him the opportunity to make sense of his life and to tell people things he wanted them to know.
“BBC correspondent Allan Little recalled this in his tribute online which you can see on the BBC website.”
After reading Allan’s last memories of his friend, Jeremy asked viewers to get in touch about their own similar stories.
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As he turned the focus to Allan, Jeremy had to pause as he noticeably choked back emotion as he said: “Now, I’ve got to be careful talking to you because I’ve got to hold it together.”
Breaking down, he managed to add: “In all the tributes it’s so clear what a lovely man he was.”
“Yeah, yeah – I mean, none finer,” Allan agreed, continuing: “And the quality that made him such an outstanding human being was the same quality that made him such a great reporter which was empathy.
“He really could put himself in the shoes of all of the people encountered in his working life.”
Following a heartfelt tribute from Allan, Jeremy added: “He was undoubtedly one of the best TV reporters, but he was also one of the greatest men.”
Allan was also overcome with emotion as he recalled a tribute from someone who had also worked closely with Geroge, describing how “kind” he had been to them.
“He was a superstar,” Allan stated through tears. “And that’s been typical of the messages I’ve had.
“I’m sorry Jeremy, yesterday was a full-on day and it’s hitting me this morning, the full-on reality.”
Allan choked as he revealed how George had advised him recently: “If you haven’t told the people that you love them, get on with it.”
Jeremy added they would need to bring in a third reporter as neither of them could “hold it together.”
He decided to play some music as he emotionally stated: “We need a moment to reflect here on the life of our lovely, lovely colleague,” before playing Bridge of Troubled Water.
Later, Jeremy apologised to viewers as he explained how long he and Allan had been friends with the late journalist.
Jeremy Vine’s show airs weekdays from 12pm on BBC radio 2.