Ryan Seacrest Named Host Of ‘Wheel Of Fortune’

Ryan Seacrest will take over the hosting duties on the veteran syndicated game show Wheel of Fortune. The news comes less than three months after Seacrest exited the syndicated morning talker Live with Kelly and Ryan. Recently, Pat Sajak announced his plans to retire after 41 years.

Seacrest will also serve as a consulting producer on Wheel of Fortune, according to a statement from Sony.

“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” said Seacrest in a statement. “I can say, along with the rest of America, that it’s been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna (White) on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”

“Pat, I love that 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,” he added.

Vanna White, meanwhile, is under contract for another year and is currently in negotiations to continue with the game show.

In addition to hosting American Idol and now Wheel of Fortune, Ryan Seacrest has presided over the annual Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve special since 2007, among other TV events. He is also the host and producer of iHeartMedia’s
IHRT
102.7 KIIS-FM, the nationally syndicated On Air with Ryan Seacrest and American Top 40 with Ryan Seacrest.

His start date on Wheel of Fortune has not been announced.