Wheel of Fortune host Vanna White’s fate revealed after Ryan Seacrest officially replaces Pat Sajak on show

VANNA White will stay on the board as letter presenter when Ryan Seacrest replaces Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune.

On Tuesday, the beloved game show announced that the American Idol host will usher in Wheel’s next era when Pat retires in June 2024.

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Ryan Seacrest was announced as Pat Sajak’s Wheel of Fortune host replacement

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He confirmed via Instagram: ‘I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White’Credit: Wheel of Fortune
Wheel of Fortune dropped the big news that Ryan, 48, will be taking over for Pat, 76, at the end of next season via Instagram.

The show wrote alongside a glammed-up photo of Ryan: “It’s official! Starting in 2024 Ryan Seacrest will take the stage as the new host of Wheel of Fortune. We’re so excited – Welcome Ryan!”

Ryan shared a statement to his Instagram confirming what many were wondering; if Vanna, 66, would remain at the puzzle board.

He posted a photo of the game’s centerpiece wheel while opening up about how much the role means to him.

‘WORKING ALONGSIDE THE GREAT VANNA’

Ryan wrote: “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.

He continued: “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.

“Many people probably don’t know this but one of my first jobs was hosting a little game show called ‘Click’ for Merv Griffin 25 years ago so this is truly a full circle moment for me and I’m grateful for Sony for the opportunity.

“I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.”

‘NO ONE BETTER FOR THE JOB!’

“No one better for the job” one fan celebrated.

“Congratulations! Ryan is the hardest working and smartest working guy in the industry. Not many people can do what you do,” wrote another.

“So now make sure Vanna gets a raise!!!!” joked a third.

‘WONDERFUL RIDE’

Game show legend Pat began hosting in 1981 and has done so for 40 seasons with Vanna.

On June 12, 2023, Pat announced Wheel of Fortune’s 41st season will be his last.

Following his exit as host, a network representative revealed Sajak agreed to stay on the show as a consultant for three additional years.

Sajak told fans via Twitter: “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last.

“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!).”

VANNA ‘HIRES AGGRESSIVE LAWYER’

According to an earlier report from Puck News, Sony execs had considered eliminating her role if the new host turns out to be an established figure like Ryan.

The outlet also claimed that Vanna “hasn’t had a pay increase in 18 years.”

“Now with Pat leaving, Vanna has hired an aggressive new lawyer and is finally asking for more.”

Vanna “currently makes about $3 million a year for her duties on the syndicated Wheel, per multiple sources.”

“Sajak makes almost five times as much,” they claimed.

“She has reportedly hired high-powered litigator Bryan Freedman ” – who has also represented disgraced Jeopardy! producer-turned-brief host Mike Richards – “to sort out the pay discrepancy.”

A Sony rep told TV Line in response to the report that there “is no plan to eliminate Vanna’s role.”

“Sony is in active discussions to renew Vanna’s deal beyond her current contract.”

The ageless Vanna – whose contract is up in 2024 – earlier made it clear she wasn’t looking to go anywhere and called the idea of retiring depressing.

“That’s depressing. I don’t even want to think about it,” she said last year to People.

“It’s incredible. I cannot believe it’s been 40 years. Honestly, I’ve loved every minute of it,” she said.

“Who still says they love their job after 40 years? Me!”

‘IN IT FOR THE LONG HAUL’

This comes as Season 40 debuted a new puzzle board that Vanna technically doesn’t control.

But fans nor Vanna, it would seem, wanted the beloved presenter to go anywhere.

“The next year is going to be quite the ride, and Vanna wants to be a part of it all even after he leaves, and she hopes they don’t force her out,” a source told The Daily Mail.

“Vanna doesn’t want to leave Wheel of Fortune even after Pat’s announcement of retirement, and she would highly consider taking over his role as host on the show,” the insider added.

They said Vanna is “in it for the long haul,” and “would like to be a part of the selection process for Pat’s replacement, because if it is up to her, she is in it forever.”

SEACREST IN?

Bloomberg reporter Lucas Shaw earlier claimed on Twitter that Ryan “has been talking to the producers of Wheel of Fortune” as Pat’s exit nears.

“Some sources say he’s the frontrunner. Others say he is just one of many interested,” Lucas tweeted.

Sources familiar with the situation told TMZ: “Ryan is an option to replace Pat and he’s been talking to Sony about potentially taking over for the retiring host.”

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Wheel of Fortune fans celebrated Ryan’s announcement: ‘You’re probably the only one who can fill Pat’s shoes with grace’Credit: Instagram/ryanseacrest

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Vanna White reportedly hired an ‘aggressive lawyer’ as she ‘hasn’t had a pay increase in 18 years’Credit: ABC

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The beloved co-host didn’t want to follow in Pat’s footsteps: ‘Who still says they love their job after 40 years? Me!’Credit: Getty