Jerry Springer dies aged 79 as family release heartbreaking statement on 'immense hurt'

The star was best known for The Jerry Springer Show, which ran from 1991 until 2018 in the US.

While his cause of death has not officially been released, unconfirmed reports suggest he was diagnosed with cancer several months ago.

Jene Galvin, a lifelong friend and spokesman for the family, 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.”

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

He also hosted America's Got Talent from 2007 to 2008.

His talk show series inspired the UK’s The Jeremy Kyle Show, which ran on ITV between 2005 and 2019.

The presenter always ended his explosive show with the catchphrase: "Take care of yourself and each other".

The Jerry Springer Show went off the air in 2018, before he returned with a courtroom series, "Judge Jerry," which ran for three seasons.

His final TV appearance came on last season's The Masked Singer, performing as 'The Beetle' to sing a Frank Sinatra Classic.

Springer was born in February 1944, in Highgate tube station in North London which his parents were using as a bomb shelter.

Richard and Margot were German Jews who fled to England during the Holocaust while other relatives were killed in Nazi gas chambers.

They arrived in the United States when Jerry was five and settled down in the Queens borough of New York City.