Alex Trebek, the host of Jeopardy!, has been diagnosed with cancer. According to TMZ, Trebek was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Despite his diagnosis, the long-time game show host will attempt to finish out the current season of the show.
Trebek is 78 years old.
To confirm the news, Trebek recorded a video announcement.
“Hi everyone, I have some news to share with all of you and it’s in keeping with my longtime policy of being open and transparent with our Jeopardy! fan base. I also wanted to prevent you from reading or hearing some overblown or inaccurate reports regarding my health. So therefore, I wanted to be the one to pass along this information,” Trebek said.
“Now, just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. Now normally, the prognosis for this is not very encouraging, but I’m going to fight this, and I’m going to keep working. And with the love and support of my family and friends and with the help of your prayers also, I plan to beat the low survival rate statistics for this disease. Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host Jeopardy! for three more years! So help me. Keep the faith and we’ll win. We’ll get it done. Thank you.”
Trebek, who formerly hosted shows like Classic Concentration, High Rollers, and Battlestars, has been the host of Jeopardy! since 1984.
Our thoughts are with Trebek as he faces the battle ahead.