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Who will replace Alex Trebek on 'Jeopardy!'? Late host teased these names for his successor before death

Many names are being circulated on social media, and a few reports have suggested the most famous 'Jeopardy!' contestant Ken Jennings as the rumored replacement for Trebek

Legendary game show host and Canadian-American personality Alex Trebek passed away on November 8 after losing his battle to pancreatic cancer. The host of ‘Jeopardy!’ had opened up two years ago about the first stage diagnosis of his illness. The official Twitter for 'Jeopardy!' shared a post that read, "Jeopardy! is saddened to share that Alex Trebek passed away peacefully at home early this morning, surrounded by family and friends. Thank you, Alex."

Even though his role on the game show is irreplaceable, speculations regarding his replacement are reef since his passing. Many names are being circulated on social media, some based on assumptions, and a few suggested by Trebek himself, keeping in mind who could be his potential replacement. 

In an interview with Harvey Levin for an episode of the TMZ series 'Objectified', Trebek had said that his chances of exiting 'Jeopardy!' were more than 50/50 in 2020 when his contract would expire. He further revealed that LA Kings hockey announcer Alex Faust could be one of the young hosts who could take his place. 

Perhaps, Faust had impressed Trebek with his reputation for replacing icons as he was chosen to take Hall of Fame broadcaster Bob Miller's place after 44 seasons to do play-bu-play for the Kings. The 'Jeopardy host also had another name on his mind. Reportedly, he suggested CNN legal analyst Laura Coates as a good fit for his role. 

Paying her condolences, Coates tweeted, "I’m profoundly saddened by the passing of Alex Trebek. When my own grandmother lost her battle w/ pancreatic cancer, the void she left was devastating & unimaginable. I pray his family will feel the love we all feel thinking of the mark this humble legend has left on the world."

Meanwhile, a few reports have suggested the most famous 'Jeopardy!' contestant Ken Jennings as the rumored replacement for Trebek. Besides being the highest-earning game show participant in the US history, Jennings was hired as a consulting producer and brand ambassador of the show. 

Jennings also took to Twitter to pay his respects to Trebek by sharing a funny selfie with the legendary host and captioning it, "Alex wasn’t just the best ever at what he did. He was also a lovely and deeply decent man, and I’m grateful for every minute I got to spend with him." "Thinking today about his family and his Jeopardy! family—which, in a way, included millions of us," he wrote in another tweet. 

However, the creators of the show have refrained from announcing a replacement for Trebek yet and the show will continue to air episodes hosted by the late host.