Jeopardy! winner tears up while thanking host Alex Trebek and reveals he learned English by watching the show as a child

A Jeopardy! winner become overwhelmed with emotions and teared up while speaking to host Alex Trebek, who he credited with teaching him English as a young child.

The heart-warming moment happened after Burt Thakur emerged victorious on Thursday night and walked away with a $20,400 prize.  

After Trebek, 80, asked if anyone was cheering Thakur on at home, the lifelong fan and immigrant made a touching revelation.

Burt Thakur shed a few tears while speaking with Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek  during Thursday night's episode

Alex Trebek looked touched as Burt Thakur explained his story after winning $20,400

'You know, here's a true story, man. I grew up, I learned English because of you,' said Thakur as he became choked up.

'And so, my grandfather, who raised me -- I'm gonna get tears right now - I used to sit on his lap and watch you everyday so it's a pretty special moment for me, man.'

Thakur sniffled and wiped away a few tears, while Trebek looked moved by the sweet gesture.

The moment was shared to the official Jeopardy! Twitter account.

'Alex's impact is immeasurable. Thank you for sharing, Burt!' the message read.

Thakur spoke out about the incredible experience on Twitter as well.

'To win something money can't buy was an indescribable experience,' Thakur wrote.

'To be in such a diverse contest makes me proud to be an immigrant and a #American. If you watched me, will you take a bit of my smile and joy & share that with someone? We could all use a .'

Thakur: 'To be in such a diverse contest makes me proud to be an immigrant and a #American. If you watched me, will you take a bit of my smile and joy & share that with someone? We could all use a '

A number of Jeopardy! fans chimed in after Thakur snagged the win, sending him congratulations and thanking him for sharing his story.

'I call my dad every night to watch final Jeopardy, and have done for about 20 years,' one Twitter use wrote.

'He told me last night that he was so happy you won - your happiness was a delight to watch, and I agree. Well done!' 

 Many fans took to Twitter after Thursday's show to congratulate Thakur and share their own fond memories of Jeopardy!

Jeopardy! fan: 'This man made me miss my grandfather even more. Jeopardy is my favorite show because it is part of my best memories with my grandfather. Burt, you speak for so many people'

Many others praised Alex Trebek for being a role model and constant figure in their lives

Another wrote: 'I'm crying. This man made me miss my grandfather even more. Jeopardy is my favorite show because it is part of my best memories with my grandfather. Burt, you speak for so many people.'

Others praised Trebek for being a role model, and many shared how he inspired them growing up.

'Alex may not realize it but he's been a second or even surrogate father to so many of us,' one person wrote.

'I watched you with my grandmother every afternoon at 4 after school, one woman wrote.  Alex, I think of her and our afternoons together every single time I hear the jeopardy song.'

 'Similar story. Started watching Jeopardy with my dad. And now watching Jeopardy with my daughter. We love Alex!' one mother wrote. 

Jeopardy! has aired Season 37 amid the COVID-19 pandemic and Trebek's battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. 

Jeopardy! fan: ''I watched you with my grandmother every afternoon at 4 after school, one woman wrote. Alex, I think of her and our afternoons together every single time I hear the jeopardy song'

One woman revealed that watching Jeopardy! has become a tradition passed down in her family

 By Heather Waugh for DailyMail.com

Jeopardy! has unveiled its updated set and new procedures amid the coronavirus pandemic, as the game show returns to TV screens on Monday.

A short promotional video released this week for season 37 shows spaced out podiums to keep contestants six feet apart amid new protocols to keep everyone safe in the studio.

There will also be a skeleton staff and no studio audience for filming of the series which is the first quiz show to come back on air in the COVID-19 era.

It's back! Jeopardy! has unveiled its updated set and new procedures amid the coronavirus pandemic as the game show returns to TV screens on Monday

Fans of the longtime show can still expect to see Alex Trebek, 80, host this upcoming season amid his battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer. 

Johnny Gilbert, 96, who announces the contestants and introduces Trebek, will not be in the studio and will record the intros from his home.

Trebek said of the changes, 'We have done the same thing for our staff and crew. We’re trying to provide as safe an environment as possible as we produce these new programs for your enjoyment,'

Returning champion Zach Newkirk will eventually be returning but not for the first few weeks because of travel restrictions.

Jeopardy! G.O.A.T. Ken Jennings is returning in a consulting producer role.

Updated: A short promotional video for season 37 shows spaced out podiums to keep contestants six feet apart as part of a set of new protocols to keep everyone safe in the studio

Safety first: Producers and writers are seen wearing masks

Jennings, the record-setting contestant who won on 74 straight shows and took the Jeopardy! The Greatest of All Time title earlier this year told GMA on Monday: 'I kind of feel like I have a unique perspective on Jeopardy!. I’ve been a fan of the show for over 35 years now, it’s a huge part of my life growing up. And then for the last 15 years, seeing the show as a contestant,'

Jennings, 46, will be presenting video categories and working with writers on clues and will also be involved with casting which is now virtual.

The beloved quiz show made the exciting announcement about Jennings return earlier this month.

'Mic check, one, two. Can you hear us, @Ken Jennings?' its Twitter account shared with an accompanying promotional video.

New era: There will also be a skeleton staff and no studio audience for filming

Making it happen: All the equipment is cleaned thoroughly

Fans of the longtime show can still expect to see Alex Trebek, 80, host this upcoming season amid his battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer

First look: A glimpse at the set was unveiled on Monday ahead of the premiere of season 37

In the January face-off, he walked away with a $1 million prize after defeating fellow champions James Holzhauer and Brad Rutter. He's won around $4.4 million in Jeopardy prizes. 

Jeopardy! resumed filming last month after pandemic restrictions halted production in California, where cases skyrocketed during the summer and 12,800 new cases were recorded on July 21.

Trebek said last month that he's responding exceptionally well to treatment for pancreatic cancer and expects to mark his two-year survival next February.

The Twitter account for Jeopardy! revealed a promotional video and announced Ken Jennings' new role earlier this month

He was first diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2019 and continued to update his fans on his health journey.

The famed host admitted that his journey hasn't been easy and he's battled with bouts of 'great depression' through the process.

He remained optimistic about reaching two years of recovery, though, with support from his wife and 'soulmate' Jean, in addition to the 'millions of prayers' sent from well-wishers around the world.

Ken Jennings , pictured with Trebek has been crowned the champion of champions after winning Jeopardy!'s first Greatest of All Time tournament

He's back: Jennings is returning as a consulting producer and will be presenting video categories and working with writers on clues and will also be involved with casting which is now virtual