Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek has revealed that he has been diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer.
The beloved TV personality made the announcement in a video message on Wednesday.
He said he wanted to publicise the news "in keeping with [his] longtime policy of being open and transparent with our Jeopardy! fan base".
"Now, just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer," the Canadian-American host said.
"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."
Trebek, who has hosted the popular game show since 1984, joked that he has no choice but to recover in order to honour the terms of his contract.
"Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host Jeopardy! for three more years!" he added.
"So help me. Keep the faith and we’ll win. We’ll get it done. Thank you."
Trebek, 78, took over Jeopardy! when the syndicated show was revived in 1984, after previous runs in the sixties and seventies.
His understated yet kind hosting personality, and his daily presence the NBC game show, have earned him fans across generations.
