BBC presenter George Alagiah is “taking a break” after a further spread of his bowel cancer.

The 65-year-old broadcaster is to receive further treatment.

His agent said:

“George “is to take a break from studio duties to deal with a further spread of cancer and will undergo chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

“He was first diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer in April 2014.

“In a letter to colleagues in the newsroom Mr Alagiah said his medical team had decided to hit the new tumour ‘hard and fast’.

“He is due to undergo a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy over the next few months.

“He added that working on the programme ‘has kept me sane over the last few years’ and ‘I’m determined to come back’.”