Nick Robinson Andrew Marr, Frank Gardner and George Alagiah celebrate 'still being here and still broadcasting”

A breakfast with a difference

Nick Robinson in the studio on his first day presenting BBC Radio 4's Today programme. He withdrew from his second day presenting the programme, raising concerns over his voice (PA)

Four BBC journalists sat down for a life-affirming breakfast on Friday morning to celebrate “still being here and still broadcasting”.

Nick Robinson, Andrew Marr, Frank Gardner and George Alagiah raised a glass in what Robinson dubbed a "BBC News Survivors lunch". All four presenters have recovered from life-threatening illness or injury and continued working as journalists.

Robinson, the former BBC political editor, recently returned to work on the Today programme after undergoing surgery and chemotherapy for lung cancer in February.

BBC Two broadcaster Marr had a major stroke in 2013 which affected movement down the left side of his body.

Gardner, the BBC's Security Correspondent was paralysed from the waist down after being shot six times by a terrorist gang in Saudi Arabia 11 years ago. Despite suffering with chronic pain from his injuries, Gardner continues to work as a foreign correspondent from countries such as Afghanistan.

BBC newsreader Alagiah recently returned to the News at Six after being cleared of stage four bowel cancer which had spread to his liver and his lymph nodes.

Robinson shared a picture of the brunch in a Facebook post which has been shared over 100,000 times, with many people sending their best wishes to all four.

“Wow! Brilliant an example to us all. Keep broadcasting,“ wrote one user.

“Fantastic photo of four inspirational people and their stories,” added another. “A lunch well deserved indeed.”

"I'm very glad you are still around and broadcasting. Good luck and good health to you all."