Breaking News: Ryan Seacrest Stuns Fans with Unprecedented Announcement as the New Host of ‘Wheel of Fortune’!

Ryan Seacrest. David Fisher/Shutterstock

Content: Ryan Seacrest has been selected as the new host of Wheel of Fortune, replacing the retiring Pat Sajak at the end of season 41.

“I am incredibly honored to follow in the legendary footsteps of Pat Sajak. Alongside the entire nation, I can confidently say that it has been an absolute privilege and pure delight to witness Pat and Vanna [White] grace our television screens for an exceptional four decades. They have consistently brought smiles to our faces each and every night, making us feel right at home,” Seacrest expressed in the press release from Sony Pictures Television. “Pat, I admire the way you have always celebrated the contestants and made audiences feel comfortable. I eagerly anticipate absorbing all that I can from you during this transition.”

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Content: "I am excited to carry on the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the incredible Vanna White," he expressed. Sajak, aged 76, recently shared that the forthcoming season of the game show, scheduled to premiere in September, will mark his final appearance.

"It has been an incredible journey, and I will share more details in the upcoming months," mentioned the Daytime Emmy recipient regarding his departure in a statement given to Bloomberg News on June 12. "I am sincerely grateful to all of you."

The cherished series made its debut in 1975, with Chuck Woolery as the host. Sajak assumed the role of hosting the daytime program in 1981 and has been overseeing it ever since.

"It is a great honor to have graced people's living rooms for such a long time," he revealed to Entertainment Tonight in September 2022, implying that the end was approaching. "We received a warm reception from the viewers, and we are delighted and proud."

Sajak, who surpassed the Guinness World Record for the longest-serving game show host in 2019, has become synonymous with Wheel of Fortune, just like White, aged 66. White joined the show in 1982 and has been widely known for turning the letters on the puzzle board for several decades. In 2019, White also stepped in for Sajak during his emergency surgery to rectify a blocked intestine.

Rumors spread in June that Sony executives were contemplating removing White's role on the show once Sajak retires, as reported by Puck. However, on Friday, June 23, we confirmed that White's position was secure. A source closely connected to the production informed us that there was no validity to the speculation of eliminating Vanna from Wheel of Fortune after Pat's departure. The source further stated that negotiations with Vanna are currently underway.

Seacrest, on his part, positioned himself as the frontrunner to host Wheel of Fortune after leaving Live With Kelly and Ryan in April.

"I want you all to know that I am aware of how lucky I am. Lucky to have had the opportunity to sit next to you, Kel, for six years. You're irreplaceable. There's no one like you," the radio host expressed during his final episode of the ABC talk show. "I've spent my entire career speaking... but today, it's difficult to find the right words to convey how deeply grateful I am to have been here and to have been with you, welcomed into your homes every day to bring a smile or a laugh. I feel honored to be a part of this family."

Mark Consuelos replaced Seacrest as the host of the talk show, which was then renamed Live With Kelly and Mark. Seacrest, a native of Georgia, continues to host American Idol and On Air With Ryan Seacrest. The 41st season of Wheel of Fortune is scheduled to return on ABC in September.