US talk show host Jerry Springer dies aged 79

Jerry Springer, the infamous American TV presenter known for his chaotic talk shows, has died at the age of 79. The Jerry Springer Show, which ran for almost 30 years from 1991, was notorious for its confrontational and controversial content, including fights, swearing, and infidelity revelations. 

Springer died peacefully at his home in Chicago, according to his publicists. He was born in the London Underground station of Highgate during World War Two to Jewish refugees who were sheltering from a German bombing raid. 

Springer studied political science and law at university and worked in politics before moving into TV journalism, starting as a reporter and working his way up to anchor. The Jerry Springer Show was launched as a traditional talk show on social issues and politics before it turned to more sensationalist content in an effort to boost ratings.

Despite its reputation for low-brow entertainment, the show topped daytime television ratings in the US in the late 1990s and ran for almost 5,000 episodes before ending in 2018. Springer also hosted America’s Got Talent and Judge Jerry, and made his stage debut in Chicago in 2009.