Webdesk: Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak unexpectedly announced that this will be his last season.
Despite teasing his retirement for years, people were surprised. The show has not announced a replacement, but several candidates have emerged.
Since 1983, Vanna White has been the show’s letter-turner.
The 66-year-old has helped candidates find the right sentences and chatted with Sajak at the start and end of many episodes.
White hosted multiple times. After Sajak recovered from emergency surgery in December 2019 and January 2020, she returned to her normal role.
White and Sajak have worked well together on the show.
“When we started @WheelofFortune, who could have imagined we’d still be at it for 41 seasons?” White tweeted after Sajak’s announcement. I’m glad we’ve performed together for so long. @patsajak, cheers!”
Maggie Sajak, Pat’s daughter, could host. Maggie, a social correspondent since 2021, provides behind-the-scenes content.
She’s excited for Season 41 of Wheel of Fortune despite her father’s departure.
Maggie was the letter-turner for White on a celebrity version of the game in May.
Ryan Seacrest, host of American Idol, Live With Kelly and Ryan, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, may replace Sajak.
Bloomberg’s Lucas Shaw initially reported Seacrest’s talks with Wheel of Fortune producers. Some sources say he’s the frontrunner, others say he’s one of many.
In April, Seacrest departed his morning program with Kelly Ripa but still works in radio, TV, and American Idol.
Wheel of Fortune fans eagerly await the show’s host announcement after Pat Sajak’s resignation.
