AceShowbiz - Veteran U.S. game show host Alex Trebek has been diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer.

The beloved Canadian star, who has fronted "Jeopardy!" for 35 years, has confirmed the shocking news in a video message to fans of the show.

"I have some news to share with all of you and it's in keeping with my longtime policy of being open and transparent with our 'Jeopardy!' fan base," he said. "I also wanted to prevent you from reading or hearing some overblown or inaccurate reports regarding my health. So therefore, I wanted to be the one to pass along this information."

"Now, just like 50,000 other people in the United States each year, this week I was diagnosed with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. 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."

"Truth told, I have to! Because under the terms of my contract, I have to host 'Jeopardy!' for three more years! So help me. Keep the faith and we'll win. We'll get it done. Thank you."

TMZ sources claim Trebek plans to complete the current season of "Jeopardy!" and then take time off to battle the disease.

Trebek got his start as a newsman on the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation and went on to host high school quiz show "Reach for the Top".

He moved to the U.S. in 1973 and became the host of NBC show "The Wizard of Odds" and other variety programmes before landing the gig at "Jeopardy!".

Last year (2018) he signed a contract extension to secure his gig as the host of the game show until 2022.

This isn't the first time he has been forced to consider his health over the TV show - he took a brief medical leave in 2018 to undergo surgery for blood clots on his brain and he also suffered mild heart attacks in 2007 and 2012.