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Thomas Gottschalk Ends On‑Air Career on RTL, Reveals Aggressive Cancer and Retires From Public Life

RTL signals continuity with Giovanni and Jana Ina Zarrella next week after a farewell that drew about 2.4 million viewers.

Overview

  • At age 75, the longtime TV host left “Denn sie wissen nicht, was passiert” early around 22:13–22:15 to sustained applause and confetti, thanking fans before exiting with his wife.
  • He identified his cancer as an epitheloid angiosarcoma and described surgeries removing parts of his bladder and ureter, noting lingering effects and treatment‑related “brainfog.”
  • He told viewers he will withdraw fully from public life and end his social media presence, saying the stage of his life as a public figure is over.
  • The special averaged roughly 2.41–2.42 million viewers with a 16.7% share among 14–49, solid numbers that fell short of past blockbuster farewells.
  • RTL says the show will continue next week with Giovanni and Jana Ina Zarrella, as Günther Jauch and Barbara Schöneberger also step away from the regular lineup.