Jerry Springer’s former bodyguard reveals he didn’t mention the fight against cancer when they met weeks ago

Jerry Springer’s heartbroken former bodyguard, Steve Wilkos, has revealed that the TV host hugged him “like he’s never hugged me before” and didn’t reveal his battle with cancer when they last met.

Wilkos, 59, who starred on The Jerry Springer Show for ten seasons from 1994 to 2007, said that when he and Springer started dating about a month ago, he didn’t mention his pancreatic cancer diagnosis.

He told TMZ Live that he may have “said goodbye to me” as they reminisced about old times, something they rarely did.

Springer passed away at his home in Chicago on Thursday at the age of 79.

Springer seemed to reference his illness, saying during an interview last year that he wanted to retire while “still healthy” after NBCUniversal canceled its last show, Judge Jerry.

He added, “I don’t have to make a living. I want to enjoy life.’

Wilkos then started The Steve Wilkos Show, which first aired in 2007 and is now in its 16th season.

The show deals with family and criminal law, true crime and relationship conflict.

Wilkos said Jerry was the person who had the most impact on his life and credits him for launching his career.

Wilkos was a cop patrolling the streets of Chicago in 1994 when a cop friend, Mike McDermott, asked him if he would be interested in performing in security on Springer’s show, where he became a popular figure.

Wilkos said that Springer always had his back and that he had always believed that his good friend would outlive him.

The Jerry Springer Show was known for its wild and raw TV moments.

On his Twitter profile, Springer jokingly declared himself as “talk show host, ringmaster of the end of civilization.”

His audience would cheer his name, while his outrageous guests would engage in mad fights – expletive-filled rants squealing out.

Springer called it “escapist entertainment,” while others saw the show as contributing to a weakening of American social values.

His show was so popular in the 90s that it even surpassed Oprah Winfrey’s program in several cities.

The show went off the air in 2018, but Springer went on to create his courtroom show, Judge Jerry, which ran for three seasons.

His last TV appearance was on The Masked Singer last season where he performed as The Beetle to sing a Frank Sinatra classic.

Springer is survived by his daughter Katie, who is deaf and blind, and his sister Evelyn.

David Hasselhoff paid tribute to Springer, whom he described as a “great friend” in a tweet on Thursday.

He said: ‘I never thought I would lose a special friend filling in for me as Captain Hook in the Wimbledon pantomime.

“He was a wonderful, wonderful person and I am saddened by his passing. What happens to a broken heart?’

In another tribute, Piers Morgan wrote, “Jeez, this sucks. TV icon and such an intelligent, warm, funny man.

“Loved working with him (on America’s Got Talent), loved hanging out with him (we lived in the same hotel for 2 years), loved arguing with him (he loved his politics) , loved everything about him. Stripping.’

When asked in 1994 if he wanted to work on the show, Wilkos said he had never heard of it but wanted to make some extra money, so he agreed.

He recalled his first series of episodes centered on the KKK, which meant security had to be there in case of fights and riots.

But he soon learned that there would be a lot more challenging Scrabbles to break up while with the show over the next decade.

Producers said it was Wilkos’ no-nonsense demeanor mixed with fatherly compassion that drew viewers to him — a personality that suited host Jerry Springer well.

In 2006, Springer joined Dancing with the Stars, so Wilkos acted as host.

Springer ended up competing for seven rounds, giving Wilkos over 30 episodes to cover.

He made such an impression that Springer decided to recruit him to fill in every Monday.