TRIBUTES HAVE been paid to game show host Alex Trebek who has passed away at the age of 80.
The long-time host of iconic game show Jeopardy! announced he had been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in March 2019, and he sadly passed away from the illness over the weekend.
Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek passed away from pancreatic cancer over the weekend (Image: Jeopardy! / Twitter)His death was announced on Sunday, with the Jeopardy! twitter account sharing the sad news.
A spokesperson for the show, which Mr Trebek hosted for 36 years, shared a photograph of the veteran host alongside the caption:
"Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends."
They added, "Thank you, Alex."
Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex. pic.twitter.com/Yk2a90CHIM
— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) November 8, 2020
The Canadian-American had hosted the famous show from its revival in 1984 up until this year, despite battling the illness.
Tributes have been flooding in for the much-loved public figure, with hundreds taking to social media to attempt to put into words how his long career had impacted them.
"I can't come to terms with this," one person wrote. "I can't take this. You've been my friend every day at 7pm since I was 12 years old."
Replying to that comment, another wrote: "For a lot of us smart latchkey kids raised by single moms, Alex was the guy we had dinner with at 6pm MST."
Flowers are seen on Alex Trebek's star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame on November 08, 2020 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Rich Fury/Getty Images)Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wrote that the world had "lost an icon".
"Almost every night for more than three decades, ALex Trebek entertained and educated millions around the world."
Comedian Mindy Kaling wrote "Pancreatic cancer is a terrible illness", and offered her condolences to Mr Trebek's family.
Pancreatic cancer is a terrible illness. My heart goes out to Alex Trebek and his family. To find out more about pancreatic cancer and resources if someone you know has it, go to @PanCAN.
— Mindy Kaling (@mindykaling) November 9, 2020
While Mr Trebek has passed away, there are some episodes of Jeopardy! recorded earlier in the year which are yet to be aired.
The final episode of Jeopardy! hosted by Alex Trebek will air on Christmas Day, 2020.
