Loose Women stars Charlene White and Denise Welch have vented their anger over the sharing of a clip of ITV newsreader Rageh Omaar falling ill live on TV.
The 56-year-old presenter started to noticeably struggle with his words during a report towards the end of the news programme on Friday and straight after the show, Rageh was rushed to hospital where he immediately received treatment. It remains unconfirmed as to the nature of his illness but experts believe that he was showing early signs of a mini-stroke, called ca transient ischaemic attack (TIA).
Charlene has taken umbrage at the number of people who have been sharing the video of Rageh falling ill, with many making wild assumptions as to what happened before any reports that he was suffering with medical difficulties. The Loose Women star hit out, writing on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter : "How about everyone stops posting and re-posting a video of a man becoming unwell live on TV. Who does that benefit? Sometimes real life isn't just about upping your engagement figures, and upping your likes".
Her feelings were echoed by her fellow Loose Women panellist, Denise Welch, who commented on Charlene's post, writing: "My thoughts exactly Charlene. Honestly this world [angry face emojis]." Denise's comment prompted another to add their disgust that Rageh was not taken off air to receive immediate attention. They wrote: "Totally agree with you both but where was ITV's duty of care for the poor bloke. They should have cut the stream or went to a break immediately to get him medical attention. It's not like it was a coughing fit etc."
A ITV News source told Mail on Sunday that the producers were trying to replace Rageh but he wanted to complete delivering the news: "The programme team were trying to replace him when they realised there was a problem. They sent the standby presenter to the set to take over but he insisted on remaining on air. No-one could get him out of his chair. He refused to move. Even when he was told he had to go and that the team had called for medical help. Everyone did everything they could to help him. Rageh is a consummate professional. He was determined to finish what he had started. It was an awful, awful night."
Rageh was discharged the following day and is spending time at home recovering with his family. The mini-stroke condition, TIA, is caused by a temporary disruption in the blood supply to part of the brain caused by a travelling blood clot or the "furring" of the arteries.
Fiona Clark, who is a staff nurse, said she called ITV at 10.30pm and informed them that "as an ICU nurse who worked in stroke, that Rageh Omaar required an emergency ambulance, he was dysphasic, drooped left eye, slurred speech and agitated all Fast symptoms."
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