'Ellen DeGeneres Show' star Stephen 'tWitch' Boss has died age 40

Stephen 'tWitch' Boss has died aged 40 as his wife pays tribute to "the backbone of our family".

The DJ and executive producer - who worked on The Ellen DeGeneres Show for nine years having got his big break on So You Think You Can Dance in 2008 - is reported to have died by suicide, and his wife Allison Holker hailed him as someone who "lit up every room he stepped into".

In a statement to PEOPLE magazine, Allison said: "It is with the heaviest of hearts that I have to share my husband Stephen has left us.

"Stephen lit up every room he stepped into. He valued family, friends and community above all else and leading with love and light was everything to him. He was the backbone of our family, the best husband and father, and an inspiration to his fans."

"To say he left a legacy would be an understatement, and his positive impact will continue to be felt. I am certain there won't be a day that goes by that we won't honor his memory.

"We ask for privacy during this difficult time for myself and especially for our three children.

"Stephen, we love you, we miss you, and I will always save the last dance for you."

Just earlier this week tWitch and his wife had celebrated their 9th wedding anniversary.

According to TMZ, he was found dead at a Los Angeles hotel.

The outlet added that according to law enforcement sources, Allison, 34, rushed into an LAPD station saying her husband had "left home without his car", which made her concerned.

Officers then got a call later at around 11.15am to say he had been found dead in a room at the Oak Tree Motel, 15 minutes’ walk from his family home.

Ellen DeGeneres says she is “heartbroken” over the death of DJ ‘tWitch’ as she thinks of him as “family”.

The TV host, 64, paid tribute hours after it emerged he had taken his life aged 40.

She tweeted about tWitch, born Stephen Laurel Boss, who worked on her talkshow from 2014 until it ended this year: “I’m heartbroken. tWitch was pure love and light. He was my family, and I loved him with all my heart.

“I will miss him. Please send your love and support to Allison and his beautiful children - Weslie, Maddox, and Zaia.”

Ellen made the tribute alongside a picture of her hugging the DJ on her show.

Ellen’s co-workers are said to have been left “shocked” by Stephen’s death, with one telling The US Sun: “No one can ever understand why someone would do this... I’m at a loss for words. We are all trying to process what has happened.”

When So You Think You Can Dance returned in 2022, Boss took on a role as a judge, and he had previously co-hosted Disney's Fairy Tale Weddings with his wife, with whom he shared children Weslie, 14, Maddox, six, and three-year-old Zaia.

He also enjoyed success in film and TV, with roles in the likes of Step Up All In, Magic Mike XXL and Modern Family.

He is survived by his wife and three children.

Where to get help:
• Lifeline: 0800 543 354 (available 24/7)
• Suicide Crisis Helpline: 0508 828 865 (0508 TAUTOKO (available 24/7)
• Youth services: (06) 3555 906
• Youthline: 0800 376 633
• What's Up: 0800 942 8787 (11am to11pm)
• Depression helpline: 0800 111 757 (available 24/7)
• Rainbow Youth: (09) 376 4155
• Helpline: 1737
If it is an emergency and you feel like you or someone else is at risk, call 111.

- Bang! Showbiz