A memorial service was held to remember George Alagiah, the late BBC News presenter who passed away in July, drawing together a multitude of individuals. In attendance were colleagues and family members who came to honor this highly respected figure in British television.
On the 7th of July 2023, a mere three weeks prior to his passing, George Alagiah entrusted his wife, Frances, with the words he wished to be read at his memorial. In his reflection, he noted, “Living with cancer is a unique and often challenging experience, as it is essentially a narrative of an anticipated ending. Many of us confronting cancer are acutely aware of the limitations of our time, affording us an opportunity for self-reflection, distinct from the suddenness of a car crash.”
Nearly four months later, a congregation of 800 people, including George’s friends, colleagues, and family members, gathered at St Martin-in-the-Fields church near London’s Trafalgar Square. There, Sophie Raworth, his former co-presenter from BBC Six O’Clock News, shared George’s final thoughts with the audience.
For those present, it was a profoundly touching moment. The gathering had come together to commemorate George Alagiah, a journalist with an illustrious three-decade career at BBC News, marked by numerous accolades and a significant role as a foreign correspondent.
Yet, those in attendance recognized that George Alagiah was more than just an accomplished journalist. He was a devoted husband, father, grandfather, brother, and friend. Throughout the service, both colleagues and loved ones warmly spoke of his most admirable qualities: his empathy, compassion, and kindness.
BBC special correspondent Allan Little, a close friend who had worked alongside George at the BBC’s Bureau in Johannesburg, paid homage to his pioneering journalism, which played a pivotal role in bringing diverse perspectives into the BBC’s newsroom. Little remarked, “In his reporting, he consistently extended a hand of shared humanity. George was not only an exceptional reporter but also a compassionate individual.”
The service commenced with a rendition of Nkosi Sikelel’s iAfrika by the London African Gospel Choir, a song that, when George began covering South Africa in the 1980s, was subject to legal consequences for those who sang it. Today, it holds a place in the national anthem, symbolizing the gravity of the events George bore witness to during his dedicated career, as eloquently noted by the vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, Rev Dr Sam Wells.
George Maxwell Alagiah was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka, known as Ceylon at the time, on November 22, 1955. His family later relocated to Ghana amid ethnic tensions, and he and his siblings received their education in England.
His sisters, Mari Martin, Rachel Stojan, Chris Dennington, and Jenny Johnson, shared anecdotes illustrating the profound impact of these relocations on their upbringing. Mari observed, “Our parents must have instilled in us a sense of adventure because we never experienced fear or trepidation.”
However, George’s journey was not without its challenges. The congregation learned of the racial bullying he endured at his boarding school in Portsmouth and his realization that in the UK, “class trumps race every time.”
The service also included anecdotes from George’s university days at Durham University, where he met Frances and forged enduring friendships. George’s sons, Adam Alagiah-Glomseth and Matthew Alagiah recited excerpts from their father’s writings.
A montage of photographs depicting George’s work worldwide and his time spent with his family was presented on a screen. This visual tribute was accompanied by Steve Rosenberg, the BBC’s Russia editor, on the piano. Later in the service, Natasha Kaplinsky, a former co-presenter of George on the Six O’Clock News, recited Maya Angelou’s “When Great Trees Fall.”
Summary
This blog is a touching tribute to the late BBC News presenter, George Alagiah, who passed away in July. It highlights the memorial service held in his honor, where colleagues, family, and friends came together to celebrate his remarkable life. The blog delves into George Alagiah’s personal reflections on living with cancer, emphasizing his unique perspective. It also touches on his enduring legacy as a journalist, husband, father, and compassionate individual.
The memorial service, attended by 800 people, is described as a deeply emotional moment, emphasizing George’s significant contributions to British television. The blog also reflects on his early life, migrations, and challenges, shedding light on the factors that shaped his character. The tribute concludes with a reminder of George’s impact on audiences and his representation of the very best in us.
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