Rageh Omaar presenting the news and Charlene White on the red carpet
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Rageh Omaar ‘doing really well’ after on-air illness as ITV News ‘checking up on him daily’, Charlene White reveals

The ITV newsreader fell ill live on air last month

Rageh Omaar sparked huge concern last month after he was struck by illness while presenting the 10 o’clock news.

The ITV newsreader was seen stumbling over his words as he struggled to finish the bulletin on April 26.

Rageh was taken to hospital, where he received medical treatment, ITV said in a statement. Now, however, Charlene White has shared a health update.

Rageh Omaar presenting the ITV News last night
Rageh Omaar fell ‘unwell’ while presenting the ITV News at Ten last month (Credit: ITV)

Charlene White ‘constantly’ checking in with ITV News star

Speaking to The Sun last night (May 12) at the TV BAFTAs, Charlene shared an update on how the newsreader is doing.

I think when he wants to talk about what happened then he will.

“Rageh is doing really well. I think when he wants to talk about what happened then he will,” she said.

Charlene added: “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.”

The pair have worked together as newsreaders on ITV News for years.

Rageh Omaar illness: Richard Madeley shares update

Charlene’s update comes two weeks after Good Morning Britain host Richard Madeley spoke about how his “good friend” was doing.

On April 29, Richard and co-host Susanna Reid shared an update on their ITV colleague Rageh.

After reading the headlines, Richard halted the show and said: “Now time to talk about our good friend and colleague Rageh Omaar who, of course, was taken ill recently during the news.”

Cutting in, Susanna added: “Well, we wish him all the very best.”

Richard continued, adding: “I was going to say, other than to wish him the very best, apparently he’s making a good recovery at home. ”

He then revealed: “He should be back on screens soon.”

Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid on GMB
Richard Madeley and Susanna Reid addressed Rageh’s illness on GMB last month (Credit: ITV)

‘Terrifying’ incident

The incident happened as ITV viewers watched Rageh struggle to read the autocue on air.

The following morning, ITV released a statement. It read: “Rageh became unwell while presenting News at Ten on Friday and is now receiving medical care. He thanks everyone for their well wishes.”

Later on that day, the newsreader broke his silence in a statement. 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.”

However, that didn’t stop viewers hitting out at ITV, claiming producers should’ve taken him off air as soon as it was apparent something was wrong.

One nurse claimed that she called the network to share her concerns for the presenter, while others said that his health scare was “terrifying” to watch.

Read more: BGT slammed over ‘distasteful’ stunt following Rageh Omaar illness

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Nancy Brown
Associate Editor