Alex Trebek Jeopardy: Alex Trebek close to tears after Jeopardy! contestant's surprise answer – CBS News, CBS News

Fans of longtime “Jeopardy!” host Alex Trebek have been sending messages of love and support since the star revealed he was diagnosed withstage 4 pancreatic cancerearlier this year. But one man took the kind words a step further – and delivered a surprise answer during an episode of the game show that nearly brought the icon to tears.

Instead of choosing an answer to the “Final Jeopardy!” question of Monday night’s “Tournament of Champions” game, contestant Dhruv Gaur wrote “We love you, Alex!”

As the host read the message, he began to choke up. When the camera panned, Trebek appeared to be getting emotional.

“That’s very kind of you, “Trebek responded. “Thank you.”

“Cost you $ 1 , 995 .You are left with five bucks. Okay, “the television personality added, as he appeared to get close to tears.

The show tweeted about the interaction, writing, “Couldn’t have said it better ourselves, Dhruv! # WeLoveYouAlex. ” The show’s Twitter account later posted a (longer video) .

The heartfelt moment has also gone viral on Twitter, accompanied by the hashtag# WeLoveYouAlex.

The 79 – year-old star was diagnosed withstage 4 pancreatic cancerin March, and has been public about his struggles throughouthis treatment.

After undergoing chemotherapy, Trebekreturnedto the “Jeopardy!” stage in September to kick off season 36 of the iconic game show. But the following week, heRevealedhe was returning to chemotherapy after his “numbers went sky high.”

Trebek suggested in an interview last month that his tenure with “Jeopardy! ” may be nearing an end as his battle with cancer continues. “I will keep doing it as long as my skills do not diminish, and they have started to diminish,” he toldCTV.

Pancreatic cancer has the lowest survival rate of all cancers, because a lack of knowledge means people are often diagnosed at an advanced stage, according to theWorld Pancreatic Cancer Coalition. Every day, more than 1, 200 people worldwide will be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer and an estimated 1, 180 die from the disease.

Sophie Lewis contributed to this report.