‘Jeopardy’ Host Alex Trebek Gives Health Update Amid Cancer Battle – Hollywood Reporter

“Some of you may recall that at the beginning of this season I promised you that we had some surprises in store for you. Well, of course, I had no idea at that time that there were some surprises in store for me as well,” the ‘Jeopardy’ host said Wednesday in a video message.

After announcing his pancreatic cancer diagnosis earlier this year, longtime Jeopardy host Alex Trebek wants viewers to know he is “feeling good” and will return to host the next season of the popular game show.

“Some of you may recall that at the beginning of this season I promised you that we had some surprises in store for you. Well, of course, I had no idea at that time that there were some surprises in store for me as well,” the host said Wednesday in a video message posted on his Twitter.

Apart from celebrating the end of the show’s 35th season, Trebek also took a moment to thank fans for their support as he undergoes treatment. “I wanted to once again thank you for your continuing messages of encouragement and support particularly the many cards I’ve received from young people. I’m touched beyond words,” he said. “I’ve always tried to be straight with you and I’m not going to stop now, so despite what you may have heard, I’m feeling good. I’m continuing with my therapy and we — by we, the staff — is already working on our next season. … So I look forward to seeing you once again in September with all kinds of good stuff.”

Earlier this year, the 78-year-old revealed that he was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. At the time, Trebek assured that he was going to “fight” the illness and intends to “beat the low survival rate statistics” for the disease.

“If anyone can beat this, it’s Alex,” said Mike Hopkins, chairman of Jeopardy producer Sony Pictures TV. “He has our full support as he tackles this challenge head-on.”

Trebek, along with Pat Sajak and Vanna White, renewed their deals with Sony TV through 2022.

Trebek has served as the host of Jeopardy since its current iteration debuted in 1984. He has won five Daytime Emmys for outstanding game show host and received a lifetime achievement award in 2011. In its 35th season, Jeopardy remains one of the most popular shows in syndication, averaging more than 10 million daily viewers.

Watch Trebek’s message below.

That’s a wrap! pic.twitter.com/iV0Of8xCEj

— Jeopardy! (@Jeopardy) April 17, 2019