Australian entertainer Ian "Turps" Turpie has died after suffering cancer. He was 68.
In April last year, it was posted on his official website that he had been undergoing chemotherapy.
"Ian wishes to thank all the people who have contacted him over the past month or two and provide an update on his progress," the website said.
"He has just completed a six week course of chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The last few weeks have been somewhat gruelling, however his spirits are remarkably high and his attitude positive. This is thanks to the love and support of so many fabulous people.
Turpie's brother Paul Turpie from Ian Turpie Management said he could not confirm or deny the report when contacted by AAP on Sunday.
Fellow game show hosts John Burgess and Larry Emdur took to Twitter to express their condolences.
"Very sad day with the news, we've lost good mate Ian Turpie, I had the honour of calling Turps, mate,our deepest sympathies to Jan & family," Burgess said.
"So many jokes to tell, so many yarns to spin, so many game shows to host and never enough time.. RIP Ian "TURPS" Turpie, best Price host ever." Emdur tweeted.
Born in Melbourne in 1943, Turpie's entertainment career spanned over 50 years after he began at the tender age of 10, when he was accepted at the prestigious Hector Crawford Drama School, where he gained recognition as a juvenile actor working in radio and theatre.
He starred in a number of radio programmes alongside Sir Robert Helpmann and June Bronhill, and featured in the top rating series D24, which became one of the most dominant and influential programs in Australian radio history.
Turpie made regular appearances on Bandstand, Time for Terry and The Graham Kennedy Show. In 1964, Turpie played a bank robber in the original episode of the program that was to become a TV phenomenon Homicide.
In the 1980s, Turpie's name became synonymous with the catchphrase "Come on Down" when he became host of the highly successful, frenzied game show The New Price is Right.
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