Mike Richards has announced that he will be stepping down as the new host of Jeopardy "effective immediately".

Per NBC News, Richards' decision to move away from the popular quiz show comes after he faced backlash over past comments about women, Jews, and poor people.

In a statement obtained by NBC News, Richards said: "I was deeply honored to be asked to host the syndicated show and was thrilled by the opportunity to expand my role. However, over the last several days it has become clear that moving forward as host would be too much of a distraction for our fans and not the right move for the show."

The 46-year-old added: "As such, I will be stepping down as host effective immediately. As a result, we will be canceling production today."

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Per Variety, Sony TV also confirmed the decision on Friday.

Richards premature exit comes after the Anti-Defamation League called for an investigation into the host after he made comments back in 2013 and 2014 in episodes of the comedy podcast The Randumb Show.

On one episode of the show, Richards reportedly asked his female assistant and his female co-host if they had ever taken "booby pictures". And in another, he described he co-host as a "booth ho".

In a statement provided on Wednesday evening, Richards apologized for his comments, saying: The podcast was intended to be a series of irreverent conversations between longtime friends who had a history of joking around.

"Even with the passage of time, it’s more than clear that my attempts to be funny and provocative were not acceptable, and I have removed the episodes. My responsibilities today as a father, husband, and a public personality who speaks to many people through my role on television means I have substantial and serious obligations as a role model, and I intend to live up to them."

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Commenting on the hosts "jokes" in a Twitter post, the ADL wrote: "New Jeopardy! host Mike Richards' disparaging remarks about Jews, women & Asians are no laughing matter.

Stereotyping is an entry point to hate and his apology lacks acknowledgment of its harm.
This reported pattern warrants an investigation."

Featured image credit: WENN Rights Ltd / Alamy

Mike Richards steps down as new 'Jeopardy!' host 'effective immediately'