BBC Correspondent Opens Up About Recent Diagnosis After Viewers Spot His Hand Shaking on Air
British journalist Rory Cellan-Jones, BBC News’ technology correspondent, has gone public about the state of his health after viewers noticed some troubling symptoms during an on-air appearance.
Like any media personality, Cellan-Jones, 61, is subject to scrutiny from viewers, who pay attention to every detail of a broadcaster’s appearance from head to toe.
After broadcasting live on 5G technology for the first time, Cellan-Jones said that several viewers phoned in to BBC News, not with a criticism, but with a concern for his health.
Historic first! About to do the first UK live over #5G on @BBCBreakfast
Me on the camera, and @BBCRoryCJ presenting…wish us luck! pic.twitter.com/s3wdKKKwGn
— Emma Bentley (@EmmaLBentley) May 30, 2019
More than one person had noticed his hand trembling on air, and wanted to encourage the journalist to see a doctor right away.
Having already seen a doctor, Cellan-Jones made the decision to be transparent about his health, announcing his diagnosis to the public through his Twitter page.
The veteran BBC technology reporter told viewers that he has been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease.
A couple of people have noticed my hand shaking in my live 5G broadcast today. So seems a good time to reveal that I’ve recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. I’m getting good treatment and the symptoms are mild right now – so I’m carrying on as normal. Onwards and upwards!
— Rory Cellan-Jones (@ruskin147) May 30, 2019
“A couple of people have noticed my hand shaking in my live 5G broadcast today. So seems a good time to reveal that I’ve recently been diagnosed with Parkinson’s,” Cellan-Jones wrote. “I’m getting good treatment and the symptoms are mild right now — so I’m carrying on as normal. Onwards and upwards!”
Cellan-Jones later appeared on BBC Radio Live where he explained that he had been diagnosed a few months ago.
The diagnosis confirmed what Cellan-Jones had been suspecting, as he had been the first to notice shifts in his health over the past year.
“I wanted to be frank about it,” Cellan-Jones said of revealing his diagnosis to the public.
“A few months ago I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease and it wasn’t a huge shock to me as I’d noticed a few things in the last year changing,” he continued.
After announcing his diagnosis to the public, Cellan-Jones said many people have responded with support and encouragement.
“I’ve had loads of lovely messages, including a few from people who’ve also had Parkinson’s,” he said.
The journalist hopes that others will feel encouraged to open up about their illnesses as well.
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