Popular TV host, Jerry Springer passes on at age 79

Jerry Springer, the legendary American TV host, has died at the age of 79.

His family confirmed that he died peacefully on Thursday at his home in the Chicago area, following a brief illness.

Prior to his broadcasting career, which included roles as a political reporter and commentator, Springer was the mayor of Cincinnati and a political campaign adviser to Robert F Kennedy.

A politician-turned-presenter, he was most famous for his eponymous tabloid talk show, The Jerry Springer Show, which he always ended with the catchphrase: “Take care of yourself and each other”.

Synonymous with strippers, food-fights and punch ups, it was once named the worst show in the history of television, but proved to be ratings gold. It aired for 27 seasons and nearly 5,000 episodes from 1991 to 2018.