Rageh Omaar 'up and about at home' after 'mini stroke' live on ITV News At Ten

ITV star Rageh Omaar is said to be 'up and about at home' after suffering a 'mini stroke' live on air. Following the alarming incident during a live broadcast, it has been confirmed by his friends that he is now recuperating at home from what is believed to have been a mini stroke.

During the News At Ten broadcast on Friday, April 26, viewers noticed the renowned broadcaster slurring his speech and his left eye drooping towards the end of the programme.

The incident sparked immediate concern among viewers, with one nurse feeling so alarmed that she contacted ITV executives directly to insist that Omaar needed urgent medical attention, which he swiftly received. Friends of Rageh have now shared that he is "up and about at home and doing OK" after the scare.

Since the broadcast where Rageh appeared in distress, as reports Gloucestershire Live, there's been speculation regarding the decision to let him go on air.

Reportedly an insider told The Times: "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'."

The same source added: "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.

"It is true that they were trying to get him to come off air but someone needs to be able overrule the presenters when there is a medical emergency.

"The worry is that because he refused to get out of the chair and is taking responsibility for the situation himself, nothing will be done. That's why people are upset."

Meanwhile, a former ITN executive has called for an investigation into how Rageh was allowed to anchor News At Ten, particularly when another competent presenter could have stepped in.

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"I can't imagine what they were thinking, Chris Ship has presented the news loads of times and he was sitting there at the top of the programme covering a royal story about Charles.

"They should have just switched him in," they voiced.

ITV, however, has refuted any prior knowledge of Rageh's health condition before his News At Ten appearance.

The star has thanked everyone for their kind messages following the incident.

The veteran broadcaster said in a statement: "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".

Omaar revealed he had been "determined" to finish his live broadcast, despite experiencing the health scare.In the wake of the incident, ITV has temporarily axed reruns of the programme on ITV+1. The channel informed viewers that the service was "temporarily unavailable. "

A statement from ITV read: "We are wishing Rageh a speedy recovery and look forward to him being back on screen when he feels ready.".

No further information about his health condition has been released.

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