Anger at News at Ten bosses for allowing Rageh Omaar to continue on air when he ... trends now
ITV News has received backlash over its decision to allow presenter Rageh Omar to continue presenting the News at Ten after falling 'unwell'.
Rageh Omaar, 56, was presenting on Friday when he appeared to struggle to read his lines, prompting concern online.
Omaar continued through to the end of the show before signing off. ITV later redacted its scheduled re-run on ITV+1 before a spokesperson confirmed the presenter had become 'unwell while presenting... and is now receiving medical care'.
Users took to Twitter/X to express their concerns and share well-wishing messages. One user wrote: 'Rageh Omaar was clearly struggling on Thursday night (24 hours before) - big questions about duty of care here.'
Another wrote: 'Concerning scenes on ITV News last night & wishing Rageh Omaar a speedy recovery.'
'Why did ITV not immediately stop the broadcast and provide help?' the user continued.
Fiona Clark, a staff nurse, claimed that she had called the broadcaster at 10:10pm and told them that 'as an ICU nurse who worked in stroke that Rageh Omaar required an emergency ambulance, he was dysphasic, drooped left eye, slurred speech and agitated all FAST symptoms'.
ITV News confirmed Omaar had fallen 'unwell' but did not provide any further details.
Rageh Omaar, 56, the ITV News International Affairs Editor was rounding up the top stories of the day on the News at 10 show when he suddenly becomes incoherent while live on air
Mr Omaar, a Somali-born British journalist joined ITV News in 2013 and became their International Affairs Editor in 2014
Omaar was presenting the News at Ten programme on Friday evening when he appeared to struggle to introduce a bulletin.
The International Affairs Editor continued through to the end of the segment, thanking viewers before the credits rolled.
The credits continue for nearly 20 seconds as the camera stays focused on the presenter.
News at Ten usually runs for 30 minutes from 10pm.
Viewers immediately took to social media to share their concern for Omaar, with one ICU nurse claiming to have contacted ITV News as early at 10:10pm to warn them of possible stroke symptoms.
Investigative Journalist Mark Williams-Thomas wrote: 'It was clear #RagehOmaar was not well last night, that’s when you need people in the gallery
