Newsreader George Alagiah has been diagnosed with bowel cancer and is to be off air for the near future while he receives treatment.
The 58-year-old, who has been a familiar figure on TV news bulletins for many years, is said to be "optimistic" about a positive outcome.
The Sri Lanka-born journalist has been the face of BBC1's News At Six since 2007.
A BBC statement said: "Our thoughts are with him and his family and we send them our very best wishes during this time."
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