REACTIONS: Ryan Seacrest Named As Successor To Pat Sajak On ‘Wheel of Fortune’

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Former American Idol host and tv/radio personality Ryan Seacrest has been named as the successor to Pat Sajak as the host of the long-running game show Wheel of Fortune, according to reports. Seacrest will be taking over as host of the iconic series in 2024.

Given how high-profile the gig is, fans were quick to share their reactions to the news that Seacrest was taking over as host of em>Wheel of Fortune.

After it was confirmed by the media that Seacrest would be taking over as host, the 48-year-old shared the following statement on social media:

“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 what Pay and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them,” Seacrest’s statement reads.

“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 to Sony for the opportunity.”

Seacrest also confirmed in his statement that longtime Wheel of Fortune sidekick Vanna White will be sticking around:

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

As Seacrest mentions in his statement, the 76-year-old Sajak has been the host of Wheel of Fortune since 1981, which makes him the Guinness World Record holder for having the longest career as a game show host on the same program, besting Bob Barker of The Price Is Right.