For 15 years, George Alagiah has been a familiar face on our television screens as the presenter of the BBC's Six O'Clock News. Before that, he was one of the corporation's most respected foreign correspondents. Before that, he was born in what was then Ceylon, the only boy in a family of four sisters, and was sent to boarding school in England at the age of 12.
George joins me to talk about his self-perceived failures at fatherhood, the challenges of reporting from the front-line in times of humanitarian crisis, his nuanced relationship with racial identity and how he dealt with racist incidents in his youth. He also talks movingly about his bowel cancer diagnosis in 2014, which has seen him undergo over 40 rounds of chemotherapy and make his peace with death. What struck me most about George was his elegance: in person, but also in expression. He has no anger or bitterness or stored-up resentment, and this to me is the definition of a quiet sort of heroism.
(Obviously I also asked him about BBC equal pay and if he'd watched Anchorman.)
I loved this interview. It moved me and made me think. I hope it does the same to you.
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The How To Fail Live tour is almost over. SNIFF! There are limited tickets left for Belfast with Sinead Burke (14th November) and Gateshead with Jess Phillips MP (8th December). Dublin with Amy Huberman (15th November) has SOLD OUT! Thank you! These events are not recorded as podcasts so the only way to be there is to book tickets via www.faneproductions.com/howtofail
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The Sunday Times Top 5 bestselling book of the podcast, How To Fail: Everything I've Ever Learned From Things Going Wrong by Elizabeth Day, is out now and is available here.
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George Alagiah's novel, The Burning Land, is out now and available here.
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This season of How To Fail With Elizabeth Day is hosted by Elizabeth Day, produced by Naomi Mantin and Chris Sharp and sponsored by Sweaty Betty. Sweaty Betty are offering listeners 20% off full-price items with the code HOWTOFAIL
To contact us, email howtofailpod@gmail.com
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Social Media:
Elizabeth Day @elizabday
George Alagiah @BBCAlagiah
Sweaty Betty @sweatybetty
TWIXMAS BONUS EPISODE! How To Fail: Clemency Burton-Hill
How to Fail: A Christmas Message 2021
S12, BONUS EPISODE How to Fail: Holly Willoughby
S12, Ep8 How to Fail: Meg Mason
S12, Ep7 How to Fail: Lady Hale
S12, Ep6 How to Fail: Stanley Tucci
S12, Ep 5 How to Fail: Ruby Tandoh
S12, Ep3 How to Fail: Phil Wang
S12, Ep2 How to Fail: Jacqueline Wilson
BONUS EPISODE! How to Fail: Tanya Reynolds
S12, Ep1 How to Fail: Derren Brown
S11, BONUS EPISODE How to Fail: Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
S11, Ep8 How to Fail: Maggie O'Farrell
BONUS EPISODE: HEERRREE'S DOLLY!
S11, Ep7 How to Fail: Martine Wright
S11, Ep6 How to Fail: Paris Lees
S11, Ep5 How to Fail: Christie Watson
S11, Ep4 How to Fail: Guvna B
S11, Ep3 How to Fail: Ed Miliband
S11, Ep2 How to Fail: Jessica Ennis-Hill
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