Alex Trebek dead: Jeopardy! host dies at 80 after battle with pancreatic cancer

Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek has died after a battle with pancreatic cancer.

He was 80.

Alex hosted the quiz show since 1984 and was beloved across America.

The TV icon died at home surrounded by his loved ones on Sunday.

His spokesperson told TMZ: “Jeopardy is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends.”

Alex had been battling stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

He had announced the sad news of his illness in March last year.

Alex immediately started having chemotherapy following his diagnosis, but made no plans to retire from hosting his game show. 

His performances were as fantastic as ever.

Alex had spoken about his diagnosis, saying the odds of surviving pancreatic cancer were just 7%, but he had been hoping to beat the disease.

Sadly, his health took a turn for the worse.

Alex had several ups and downs following his original diagnosis.

Last May, he announced that his tumours had shrunk by more than 50%, which seemed to be a great sign of the progress he was making.

However, his health declined and he began another round of chemotherapy a few months on.

Throughout all, he maintained a positive outlook and continued to do a lot of good as he battled the disease.

Alex even made a joke about being under contract the host the show until 2022 as he announced his diagnosis.

He said: “Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host Jeopardy! for three more years!”

His love for Jeopardy! was always reciprocated.

When he was on brief medical leave in 2018 to have surgery for blood clots on his brain, bosses refused to air episodes with a guest host.

Alex, who began his career at the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation in 1961, also suffered mild heart attacks in 2007 and 2012, but always came back to host his show when he was able.

He first introduced himself to US audiences in 1973 when he hosted NBC show The Wizard of Odds.

The show led to him hosting many more game shows, including High Rollers, before landing his gig on Jeopardy, and quickly dominating the evening game show business.

Alex won six Daytime Emmy Awards and even set a Guinness World Record in June 2014 for the most episodes of a game show hosted.

Despite his fame, Alex said he never considered himself to be a celebrity or a star.