Phil Donahue dead at 88: Legendary TV talk show host passes away after ‘long illness’

Legendary TV announcer Phil Donahue has died after a long illness, his family announced.

The host of the famous show The Phil Donahue Show died Sunday at his home, they reported. He was surrounded by family members.

A pioneer of talk shows, his program was the first of its kind, featuring innovations such as audience participation.

The program ran for nearly 30 years and cemented the former news reporter’s place in the annals of television history.

He was 88 years old and had recently received the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Legendary TV announcer Phil Donahue has died after a long illness, his family confirmed Sunday

The famed host of The Phil Donahue Show, which ran for 29 seasons, will be awarded Joe Biden's Presidential Medal of Freedom in May of this year

The famed host of The Phil Donahue Show, which ran for 29 seasons, will be awarded Joe Biden’s Presidential Medal of Freedom in May of this year