Alex Trebek, the host of Jeopardy, a popular television game show, has said that he might have to leave the quiz show due to his ongoing battle with pancreatic cancer.
On Friday, in an interview with Canada’s TV network, Trebek spoke about how his cancer treatments have been affecting his speech.
The 79-year-old said, “I talk to the producers about this all the time now. I say, ‘Look, I’m slurring my words. My tongue doesn’t work as much, as well as it used to. The chemo has caused sores inside my mouth. It makes it difficult for me to speak and enunciate properly.’”
“I’m sure there are observant members of the television audience that notice also, but they’re forgiving,” added Trebek. “But there will come a point when they will no longer be able to say, ‘It’s OK.’”
He hosted the quiz show for 36 seasons. In March, Trebek revealed that he had been diagnosed with stage IV pancreatic cancer. However, he vowed in the TV interview that he will continue to fight. He said, “We’ll play it by ear and keep chugging along until we either win or lose.”
Trebek added that he is “not afraid of dying.” “I’ve lived a good life, a full life, and I’m nearing the end of that life… If it happens, why should I be afraid of that?” continued Trebek.
