ITV newsreader Rageh Omaar has sparked concern from viewers on social media as he struggled through Friday's News at Ten bulletin.
Just minutes into the broadcast, the 56-year-old started to slur his words and struggled to form the sentences he was reading from the autocue.
One user on X wrote: "what on earth is happening with Rageh Omaar. The guy is clearly ill, @itvnews he needs medical help pronto. Its actually distressing to watch."
Another said: "Is everything okay with @RagehOmaar on @ITVNews? Struggling to his speak and his left side of his face was dropping like he's having a stroke. #ITVNews"
Many were critical of ITV for allowing Omaar - a veteran journalist of almost 40 years - to remain on air for the full duration of the programme, which ended with him saying "and that's it for tonight, thank you, and..."
After pausing for a second, he added "have a great weekend" while shaking his head.
A user on X said: "the more i see of the rageh omaar situation the more angry i get. if everyone on twitter could immediately tell something was wrong, why did not ONE person in the itv building intervene and shut it down? rather worrying and i hope he's okay but its appalling from itv."
The usual 11pm repeat of the bulletin on the ITV1+1 channel was axed as viewers instead were shown an on-screen message reading: "We'll be back soon. We are temporarily unable to bring you our +1 service. We will resume shortly."
ITV has yet to comment on the incident.
Neil Wilkes
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