Iconic TV host Phil Donahue has died

Phil Donahue has died aged 88.

The iconic TV star - who created and hosted 'The Phil Donahue Show' for almost three decades - passed away on Sunday following a long illness.

In a statement given to 'TODAY', it's been revealed that Donahue was surrounded by his family, including his wife of 44 years, Marlo Thomas, their children and his grandchildren, when he passed away at his home.

The family have encouraged fans to make donations to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Phil Donahue/Notre Dame Scholarship Fund in lieu of flowers.

Donahue began his media career in the 1950s, when he worked for local radio and TV stations in Cleveland.

In the 60s, he began hosting an eponymous phone-in talk show in Dayton, Ohio.

During this period, Donahue interviewed some of the most well-known public figures of the era, including former US President John F. Kennedy, late-night host Johnny Carson, and Malcolm X, the human rights activist who was a prominent figure during the civil rights movement.

Then, in November 1967, Donahue launched 'The Phil Donahue Show'.

The iconic TV talk-show ran for 29 years and it even proved to be an international success, as it was also broadcast in the UK and Australia.

The show often focused on issues that divided liberals and conservatives in the US, such as civil rights and abortion.

However, by the mid-90s, the show's ratings were falling sharply as competition increased and the last episode of 'The Phil Donahue Show' aired on September 13, 1996.

Despite this, Donahue is still widely revered in the TV industry and various stars have previously highlighted his influence on their careers.

Oprah Winfrey, for instance, acknowledged that Donahue was a big inspiration for her.

She once said: "If there had been no 'Phil Donahue Show', there would be no 'Oprah Winfrey Show'."