Rageh Omaar was ‘determined to finish News at 10’ after becoming unwell

The newsreader is 'recovering at home with his family'

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.

The journalist has now released a statement himself in which he has thanked "everyone for their kindness and good wishes."

He said: "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.

"At the time, I was determined to finish presenting the programme. I am grateful for all the support I've been given."

Omaar is recovering at home with his family.

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.