He questioned ITV’s handling of the situation
A former ITV News correspondent has criticised the channel for not taking newsreader Rageh Omaar off air after he became “unwell” during a live broadcast.
Omaar was presenting the News at Ten on ITV1 on Friday when he started to stumble over his words and struggled to read the bulletins.
The broadcast prompted widespread concern and worry for the well-known newsreader, who serves as as international affairs editor at ITV News.
ITV later confirmed that Omaar was receiving medical care after becoming “unwell” during the programme.
Some were critical of the broadcaster for not pulling Omaar off air once they could see that he was struggling, including former ITV News correspondent Angus Walker.
He took to social media to question why a colleague didn’t step in for Omaar.
Walker wrote on X: “Wishing #RagehOmaar well. On a Fri eve the@itvnews newsroom is pretty empty even as News at Ten is on air but there is a duty Editor on call precisely to make any big calls.
“I’ve been asked to step in for a colleague who fell ill just before going live – can and has been done.”
In a statement following the broadcast on Friday night, and ITV spokesperson said: “We are aware that viewers are concerned about Rageh Omaar’s wellbeing.
“Rageh became unwell while presenting News at Ten on Friday and is now receiving medical care.
“He thanks everyone for their well wishes.”
No further details about his condition or what happened to him during the broadcast have been revealed.
Following the broadcast, ITV made the decision not to show the programme on ITV1+1.
Before joining ITV, Omaar had worked as senior foreign correspondent for the BBC, and rose to prominence for his coverage of the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Along with being ITV News’ international affairs editor, he also presents current affairs progrramme On Assignment for the channel.
