Alex Trebek joked he didn’t want the "sympathy" vote after winning at the Daytime Emmy Awards.
The ‘Jeopardy’ host – who is currently battling pancreatic cancer after revealing his diagnosis in March – was named Outstanding Game Show host at the ceremony on Sunday (05.05.19), and he referenced his health in his acceptance speech.
He said: "I have worried about this moment. I was concerned that sympathy might play a big role in the voting this year. I’m not a big fan of sympathy votes.
"I believe that we should all be judges on the merits of our work… But then I started thinking back to last year.
"Last year I was nominated, and I had just had major surgery to remove to two life-threatening blood clots on my brain. You would think that would have elicited a certain amount of sympathy! But I didn’t win!"
Alex, 78, added backstage after the emotional moment that he still felt like "sympathy" did play a part in his win, but he admitted he was just going to "enjoy" the accolade.
He told ‘Entertainment Tonight’: "I’m aware that there must be a fair amount of sympathy that went into the voting for this, but to tell you the truth, I don’t care. I got the award, and I enjoy having this award."
The presenter previously revealed that he’s received a huge surge of support from "people all over America" after sharing news of his stage 4 pancreatic cancer and he believes "it’s been making a difference" to his health.
He said: "People all over America have been sharing their good thoughts, their advice, their prayers. And I feel it’s been making a difference.
"I’ve had so many contacts from people who have survived cancer; I am now a 30-day survivor… I’m going to catch up to those other people. My oncologist tells me I’m doing well."
Daytime Emmy Awards winners list:
Outstanding Drama Series – ‘The Young and the Restless’
Outstanding Entertainment News Program – DailyMailTV
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show – ‘The Ellen DeGeneres Show’
Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series – Maurice Benard, as Sonny Corinthos
‘General Hospital’
Outstanding Digital Daytime Drama Series – ‘After Forever’
Outstanding Entertainment Talk Show Host – Kelly Ripa, Ryan Seacrest, ‘LIVE with Kelly and Ryan’
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series – Jacqueline MacInnes Wood, as Steffy Forrester, ‘The Bold and the Beautiful’
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series – Vernee Watson, as Stella Henry, ‘General Hospital’
Outstanding Informative Talk Show Host – Kathie Lee Gifford, Hoda Kotb, ‘Today Show with Kathie Lee & Hoda’
Outstanding Game Show – ‘Family Feud’
Outstanding Game Show Host – Alex Trebek, ‘Jeopardy!’
Outstanding Culinary Host – Valerie Bertinelli,
‘Valerie’s Home Cooking’
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series – Max Gail, as Mike Corbin, General Hospital
Outstanding Culinary Program – ‘Valerie’s Home Cooking’
Outstanding Legal/Courtroom Program – ‘Lauren Lake’s Paternity Court’
Outstanding Younger Actress in a Drama Series – Hayley Erin, as Kiki Jerome, General Hospital
Outstanding Guest Performer in a Drama Series – Patricia Bethune, as Nurse Mary Pat, ‘General Hospital’
Outstanding Writing Team for a Drama Series – ‘The Young and the Restless’
Outstanding Directing Team for a Drama Series – ‘The Young and the Restless’
Outstanding Informative Talk Show – ‘Rachael Ray’
Outstanding Younger Actor in a Drama Series –
Kyler Pettis, as Theo Carver, ‘Days of Our Lives’