13 May 2024 , 10:43
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Charlene White has given an update on ITV News co-star Rageh Omaar's health after the newsreader fell ill live on air.
The News At 10 host, 56, received medical care last month after he became disorientated while presenting and appeared to slur his words while reading an autocue towards the end of the bulletin. Omaar, the ITV News International Affairs Editor, was seen struggling to clear his desk and re-cap a pen following the final news story of the night and as the end credits began to roll.
Speaking at the BAFTA TV Awards last night, Charlene confirmed that the ITV team are in contact with Rageh and that he would open up about his scary experience in the future when he is well enough.
"Rageh is doing really well. I think when he wants to talk about what happened then he will," she told The Sun. "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."
Charlene White spoke about her colleague Rageh Omaar on the BAFTA red carpet (Getty Images for BAFTA)Last month, Rageh's close friends explained that he was "up and about at home and doing OK" while recovering from a suspected mini stroke. However, the incident sparked questions over how he was allowed to present the show in the first place are swirling around, with one insider telling The Times: "There are big questions about why he was allowed to go on air. Perhaps they thought, 'He is a pro and the adrenaline will kick in when he gets on air.'"
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The source continued: "Even if you think that he was just having an off day, you don't need a medical degree to see that it was clear when you watched that something was seriously wrong." They continued: "It is true that they were trying to get him to come off air but someone needs to be able overrule the presenters when there is a medical emergency."
Following his live TV ordeal, Rageh penned a statement to thank his fans for the support he had received. "I would like to thank everyone for their kindness and good wishes, especially all the medical staff, all my wonderful colleagues at ITV News, and our viewers who expressed concern", he wrote, adding that he had been "determined" to finish the program despite his suspected mini-stroke.