Wheel of Fortuneofficially has its next host.
Sony Pictures Television announced on Tuesday thatRyan Seacresthas been tapped asPat Sajak’s replacement. The formerLive with Kelly and Ryanco-host’s multi-year deal — which will also see him serve as a consulting producer on the show — will begin next year after Sajak’s 40-year-long run concludes.
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak. I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them,” Seacrest, 48, said in a statement. “Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease. I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.”
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TheAmerican Idolhost continued, “Many people probably don’t know this but one of my first jobs was hosting a little game show calledClickfor Merv Griffin 25 years ago so this is truly a full circle moment for me and I’m grateful to Sony for the opportunity. I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”
Also addressing the hosting shakeup was Ravi Ahuja, Chairman of Global Television Studios at Sony Pictures, who said: “We are ecstatic to have Ryan as the next host ofWheel of Fortune. Ryan lovesWheelas much as we do and is the perfect person to continue the show’s four-decade success into the future.”
The news comes afterPat Sajakannounced earlier this month that he wouldretireafter the show’s upcoming 41st season, which begins filming in September.
“Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” he shared on Twitter. “It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)”
Suzanne Prete, the EVP of Game Shows at Sony Pictures Television, also confirmed Sajak’s upcoming retirement in a statement to PEOPLE, but added that the 76-year-old television personality would stay onboard as a consultant on the series for the next three years.
“As the host ofWheel of Fortune, Pat has entertained millions of viewers across America for 40 amazing years,” Prete said. “We are incredibly grateful and proud to have had Pat as our host for all these years and we look forward to celebrating his outstanding career throughout the upcoming season. Pat has agreed to continue as a consultant on the show for three years following his last year hosting, so we’re thrilled to have him remaining close to the Wheel of Fortune family!”
In September 2022, Sajak — who began hostingWheel of Fortunein 1981 — hinted at the possibility of his retirement, saying he’ll probably leave the series before it goes off air.
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Sajak took abrief hiatusfromWheel of Fortunein 2019 after undergoing surgery for a blocked intestine. White stood in as host in Sajak’s absence.
“I’m as good or bad as new, and that’s great,” he said upon his return. “I still have my wits about me. They didn’t remove that, so I’ll be selling vowels for a long time.”
Seacrest, meanwhile,left his longtime co-hosting roleonLive with Kelly and Ryanin April after six years. He still continues to juggle several other gigs, including hostingAmerican Idoland theOn Air with Ryan Seacrestradio show.
source: people.com
