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Mike Richards performed his duties as a guest host on Jeopardy! for two weeks in February and March 2021. However, reports have suggested Richards may be the favorite to take over the permanent hosting duties after a series of stand-ins.
In a report from Variety, it was claimed producers are close to signing up Richards to become the permanent host of Jeopardy!, naming Richards are "the front runner" in the hosting race.
At the moment, this has not been confirmed by Sony, the producers of Jeopardy! and Newsweek has approached Sony for comment.
A number of different well-known presenters were in the running to potentially take over, given there has been a roster of guest hosts since the beginning of the year.
These have included Star Trek star LeVar Burton, The Big Bang Theory's Mayim Bialik, Good Morning America anchors George Stephanopoulos and Robin Roberts, broadcaster Katie Couric and Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.
Burton shared with Newsweek how he would be interested in taking on the role himself, saying back in April 2021: "I think I could continue his legacy, I think I would do it proud."
"Yeah, I think I would bring myself and my skills and my life experience. I believe that I will be honoring Alex's legacy by standing on the podium."
However, it looks as though the show's executive producer Richards may be taking on the role. We break down his career in TV so far and what fans may know him from.
Who Is Mike Richards?
Mike Richards is known for his work both producing and presenting game shows, starting out as a producer on short-lived series Friends or Lovers in 2000.
He worked mainly as a producer throughout the 2000s, on shows like The Weakest Link and Bloopers, until he began work on Beauty and the Geek in 2007.
Richards was named the host of the show, taking over from Bryan MacFayden.
In 2009 he became an executive producer on The Price Is Right and Let's Make a Deal, continuing in these roles until 2019 when he began to work for Sony Television.
He did have a short hosting stint in 2012 when he became producer and host on the revival of The Pyramid, however this revival was short-lived.
In 2019, on joining Sony, he became an executive producer of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, though the host of this revival was his fellow executive producer Jimmy Kimmel.
Richards took over as an executive producer on Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! in 2020, and filled in for Trebek early this year.
Trebek had been the host of the popular game show since 1984, and the 37th season was in production when he died.
He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2019, and underwent chemotherapy.
Trebek had further surgery in October 2020 and returned to film Jeopardy! the following month, but experienced pain and was forced to take a filming break.
He died at home on November 8, 2020, aged 80, and a message of condolence was shared after his death by Richards, who opened the show saying: "I'm Mike Richards, the executive producer of Jeopardy!. Over the weekend, we lost our beloved host Alex Trebek.
"This is an enormous loss for our staff and crew, for his family, and for his millions of fans. He loved this show and everything it stood for. In fact, he taped his final episodes less than two weeks ago. He will forever be an inspiration for his constant desire to learn, his kindness, and for his love of his family.
"We will air his final 35 episodes as they were shot. That's what he wanted. On behalf of everyone here at Jeopardy!, thank you for everything Alex. This is Jeopardy!"
Trebek's final episode of Jeopardy! was aired on January 8, 2021.
