Jerry Springer death – latest: Tributes to TV host and ‘millennial babysitter’ pour in after he dies aged 79

Legendary US TV chat show host Jerry Springer has died, aged 79.

For almost three decades, the star presented the raucous The Jerry Springer Show. The series was at its most popular in the late Nineties, when it competed with Oprah Winfrey’s show in the ratings battle.

Several Nineties babies have remembered him as a “Millennial babysitter”, as his show aired during the daytime.

Springer also hosted America’s Got Talent, and and the courtroom show Judge Jerry.

A family spokesperson said: “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.

“He’s irreplaceable and his loss hurts immensely, but memories of his intellect, heart and humour will live on.”

Follow live updates as tributes flood in for the star...

Key Points

• Jerry Springer death: legendary TV host dies aged 79

• Remembering ‘The Jerry Springer Show’s’ epic episode with racist family

• Jerry Springer’s political career

How did Jerry Springer die?

16:40 , Inga Parkel

In the statement from Springer’s spokesperson, it was revealed that he had been diagnosed with cancer earlier this year.

It is unknown, however, if complications from the diagnosis led to his passing.

Jerry Springer’s final TV apperance

16:30 , Inga Parkel

Following Jerry Springer’s illustrious TV career, he leaned more into radio. However, he made his final TV appearance as a contestant on The Masked Singer’s fall 2022 season.

During the top-secret singing competition, Springer was disguised as Beetle.

He was eventually eliminated in the second round along with singer and actor Kat Graham, who was dressed as Robo Girl.

At the time, he explained his decision to join the show, saying, “there’s so many serious things going on in the world [so] to be able to just do something that’s just fun and silly” was a pleasure.

The Jerry Springer Show: A Racist Family

16:15 , Inga Parkel

One of the more memorable episodes of The Jerry Springer Show was a 1995 episode titled “A Racist Family”.

In the hour, Springer was joined by extremist August Kreis (former member of the Klu Klux Klan, neo-Nazi leader and convicted child molester) and his two daughters.

During the show, the four engaged in a tumultuous conversation about race, which led to the host accusing Kreis of “ruining” his children and telling him to “shut your face”.

Kreis and Springer nearly got into a fight on air and had to be pulled apart by security.

Jerry Springer had just launched his new morning radio show in February

16:10 , Inga Parkel

Following the end of The Jerry Springer Podcast in December 2022, Springer announced his new radio show, The Jerry Springer and Jene Galvin Folk Hour.

The launch date of the Cincinnati programme was only a few months ago on 5 February. Springer’s final tweet from his personal account was to promote the radio hour.

Jerry Springer’s political career

16:00 , Inga Parkel

The British-born American television host was best known for his flourishing career on screen, but before he became a key part of American entertainment, he was a politician.

Springer got his start as a political campaign adviser to Democratic US Attorney General Robert F Kennedy. Following Kennedy’s assassination in 1968, Springer began practising law at a Cincinnati law firm.

In 1970, he ran for Congress but lost his bid to unseat incumbent Republican Donald J Clancy.

Years later, he went on to serve as Cincinnati’s Mayor in 1977 for one year.

Journalist Yashar Ali remembers Jerry Springer as quintessential entertainment for Millennials

15:50 , Inga Parkel

NBC News’s Henry J Gomez celebrates Jerry Springer’s political career

15:45 , Inga Parkel

Springer dies aged 79

15:38 , Ellie Harrison

Star’s death was announced by a family spokesperson

Legendary TV host Jerry Springer dies aged 79