Ryan Seacrest will take over the host of the Wheel of Fortune game show in 2024, after Pat Sajak’s retirement at the end of season 41.
His agreement also made the 48-year-old TV personality a consulting producer. Co-host Vanna White will still remain with Wheel of Fortune.
Seacrest has been a familiar face on American television for many years, hosting singing competitions and talk shows. He will continue to host the American Idol, which he took on in 2002.
He also cohosted the popular morning talk show Live with Kelly and Ryan for six years.
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest said in a statement on Tuesday, praising his predecessor.
“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.”
Pat Sajak will remain as a consultant to the Wheel of Fortune after his retirement. He started hosting the game in 1981, and became the longest-running host of a game show, surpassing The Price Is Right’s Bob Barker.
The Wheel of Fortune started in 1975 as a TV version of the popular game “Hangman”. It involved a spinning wheel and contestants solving word puzzles to win prizes.
The game attracts an average of 26 million viewers weekly, and over 10,000 people turn up to audition to be on the show every year.
