Alex Trebek is 'feeling good' as he continues to battle cancer.
Alex Trebek is "feeling good" as he continues to battle cancer.
The 78-year-old Jeopardy! host took time out to thank fans for their continued support in a video posted by the show's official Twitter account on Wednesday, on what marks the last day of filming season 35 of the long-running game show. Last month, Trebek revealed he was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer.
"Some of you may recall that at the beginning of this season I promised you that we had some surprises in store for you," Trebek says. "Well, of course, I had no idea at that time that there were some surprises in store for me as well. So here, on the last day of taping for our 35th anniversary season, I want to once again thank you for your continuing messages of encouragement and support. Particularly, the many cards I have received from young people. I am touched beyond words."
"I’ve always tried to be straight with you and I’m not going to stop now," he continued. "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, the 36th year of Jeopardy! So I look forward to seeing you once again in September with all kinds of good stuff."
In March, Trebek said he planned to continue to keep working despite his diagnosis. He's hosted Jeopardy! since 1984, and last October, he renewed his contract to continue hosting the show through 2022.
"Normally the prognosis for this is not very encouraging, but I'm going to fight this, and I'm going to keep working," Trebek said. "And with the love and support from my family and friends, and with the help of your prayers also, I plan to beat the low survival rates statistics for this disease."
"Truth be told I have to, because under the terms of my contract I have to host Jeopardy! for three more years," he also joked. "So, help me, keep the faith, and we'll win. We'll get it done. Thank you."
Since his announcement, Trebek has received an outpouring of support from fans as well as celebrities, including Ryan Seacrest, Chris Harrison, Ken Jeong, Ike Barinholtz and Pat Sajak. ET spoke to Olivia Newton-John in March, who shared her encouraging words for Trebek amid her own battle with breast cancer.
"I sent him a message saying, 'I know you can get through this,' and, 'Don't listen to stage four and all of [that],'" she told ET. "'Don't read the statistics and stay focused and see how you can heal yourself.'"
"That helps. Sense of humor is vital," she added. "He has a great attitude and a great sense of humor about it and I'm sure he'll do very well."
Watch the video below for more:
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