Ryan Seacrest will be the next host of popular game show Wheel of Fortune.
Seacrest tweeted the news on Tuesday, saying he is “truly humbled” to be passed the torch by long-time host Pat Sajak, who announced his retirement earlier this month .
Sajak tweeted on June 12 that “the time has come” and that the show’s 41st season starting this September would be his last, thanking his viewers and fans for “a wonderful ride.”
Seacrest’s own post to Twitter said he looked forward to learning from Sajak during the transition, adding one of his first jobs was hosting a game show called “Click” for Merv Griffin 25 years ago, calling it a “full circle moment” for him.
“I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”
Pat Sajak announces retirement
Sajak, 76, has presided over the game show, which features contestants guessing letters to try to fill out words and phrases to win money and prizes, since 1981. He took over duties from Chuck Woolery, who was the show’s first host when it debuted in 1975.
Along with Vanna White, who joined the show in 1982, Sajak has been a television mainstay. The show soon shifted to a syndication and aired in the evening in many markets, becoming one of the most successful game shows in history. Sajak will continue to serve as a consultant on the show for three years after his retirement as host.
“As the host of Wheel of Fortune, Pat has entertained millions of viewers across America for 40 amazing years. 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,” said Suzanne Prete, executive vice president of game shows for Sony Pictures Television told The Associated Press.
Ryan Seacrest leaves “Live with Kelly and Ryan”
Seacrest left his co-hosting duties on the early morning talk show “Live with Kelly and Ryan” this spring, saying he never expected to stay so long and thanking his co-host Kelly Ripa, who he jokingly called his “work wife.”
Seacrest ended a six-year run alongside Ripa, and was replaced by Ripa’s real-life husband, Mark Consuelos, and a frequent guest host. The show was rebranded as “Live with Kelly and Mark.”
“I’m going to miss my work wife and all the laughter we share,” Seacrest wrote on Instagram. “When I signed on to host ‘Live’ in 2017 it was meant to be for three years, but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much that I extended my time and last year I made the decision to stay on for one more final season.”
Seacrest said at the time he planned to stay busy shooting the new season of “American Idol,” his radio show on KIIS-FM and hosting “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.”
“Goodbyes are never easy, but we look forward to welcoming Ryan back regularly with open arms. As a fan-favorite guest host for years, Mark is no stranger to the ‘Live’ family. Having him join the show is so special for us and we’re sure that viewers will feel the same,” Michael Gelman, executive producer of “Live with Kelly and Ryan,” said in a statement.
This is a developing story.
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