Health update on ITV journalist Rageh Omaar after he fell ill during live broadcast

The presenter is thought to have suffered a mini stroke on air

ITV presenter Rageh Omaar is “doing really well” after he fell ill during a live broadcast last month, his colleague Charlene White has revealed.

Omaar, 56, had a suspected mini stroke while presenting News At Ten in April. Although the broadcaster claimed an attempt was made to take him off air, he insisted he was able to work and was allowed to finish the 30-minute programme.

In concerning footage broadcast live and later posted to social media, Omaar slurred and stumbled over his words but remained on air until the programme ended almost half an hour later. The channel received 73 Ofcom complaints following the incident.

Speaking to The Sun at the Bafta TV awards, which took place in London’s Royal Festival Hall on Sunday (12 May) White said Omaar will speak publicly about his health in due course.

“I think when he wants to talk about what happened then he will,” she said. “ITV News is a family, we have been checking up on him daily and continuously, in fact, to make sure he has the support he needs.”

In a previous statement, ITV confirmed Omaar had received hospital treatment and said he was “recovering at home with his family.”

ITV presenter Rageh Omaar is “doing really well” after he fell ill during a live broadcast last month (Getty)

A spokesperson said: “We appreciate viewers of last night’s News at Ten were concerned about Rageh Omaar’s wellbeing.

“Following medical treatment at hospital, he is now recovering at home with his family. We are wishing Rageh a speedy recovery and look forward to him being back on screen when he feels ready.”

The presenter subsequently issued a statement confirming that he had received medical attention after the event and thanked viewers and colleagues for their concern.

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’s colleague Charlene White revealed the ITV News team have been checking in on the presenter constantly (ITV)

It is not known what illness befell the presenter on air, although it has been reported as a suspected “mini-stroke.”

An insider reportedly told The Times earlier this week: “There are big questions about why he was allowed to go on air. Perhaps they thought, ‘He is a pro and the adrenaline will kick in when he gets on air.’

“Even if you think that he was just having an off day, you don’t need a medical degree to see that it was clear when you watched that something was seriously wrong.”

However, the MailOnline suggests ITV bosses attempted to replace Omaar with the standby presenter after realising something had gone wrong, but were unable to convince the veteran broadcaster to stand down.

ITV News told The Independent they refute all allegations that they knowingly allowed the presenter to work while sick.