TV host Jerry Springer has died at the age of 79.
The former US Mayor was best known for hosting the Jerry Springer show for 27 years, between 1991 and 2018.
He also served as the 56th Mayor of Cincinnati from 1977 to 1978, and later featured as host of America's Got Talent from 2007 to 2008.
And then in a three-year period from 2019 to 2022, he hosted courtroom show Judge Jerry.
His family confirmed the tragic news of his passing in a statement today (27 April).
"Jerry’s ability to connect with people was at the heart of his success in everything he tried whether that was politics, broadcasting or just joking with people on the street who wanted a photo or a word," said family spokesperson Jene Galvin.
"He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humor will live on."
Social media is reacting to the sad news, with one fan tweeting: "RIP Jerry Springer. He was there every sick day growing up."
"He was there on our days off from school gawd damn man rip jerry," another added.
A third wrote: "Oh no…RIP Jerry Springer…thank you for giving 90s kids something to watch when we stayed home "sick" from school."
Someone else echoed: "Gen X and Millennials grew up watching his supremely entertaining shows when they stayed home sick from school
"He was an American cultural icon. If his show was around today, he’d have billions of viral views.
"Rest in Peace Jerry."
The Jerry Springer show, which most people remember him from, inspired the UK's infamous The Jeremy Kyle Show.
The series welcomed guests to have confrontations and realisations about their personal lives for the entertainment of a live audience and viewers at home.
Episode titles included 'Pay Up or Put Out', 'We Can Share Him' and 'Slept with My Girlfriend's Brother'.
Springer, who appeared on David Yontef's Behind the Velvet Rope podcast last year, joked that he would go to 'hell' for the series.
When asked if he considered himself the 'granddad of reality TV', Springer responded: "No, I just apologise. I’m so sorry. What have I done?
"I’ve ruined the culture. I just hope hell isn’t that hot because I burn real easy. I’m very light-complexioned, and that kind of worries me."
Explaining how he got into politics, Springer said: "After being mayor, I was offered the job to anchor the news for the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati, and I did that for 10 years."
Topics: Celebrity