(TNS) — After more than four decades, Pat Sajak recently spun the wheel for his final time.
The “Wheel of Fortune” host officially taped his last episode Friday.
Now, longtime fans will get to bid the iconic TV host farewell when the Season 41 finale airs June 7, TVLine reported.
As previously reported, the 77-year-old announced his retirement and his exit from the show on social media back in June of last year.
“Well, the time has come,” Sajak wrote in a statement on X, formerly known as Twitter. “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!).”
In response to Sajak’s exit news, the show’s beloved letter-turner Vanna White posted, “When we started @WheelofFortune who could have imagined we’d still be at it 41 seasons later? I couldn’t be happier to have shared the stage with you for all these years with one more to come. Cheers to you, @patsajak!”
Coming in as Sajak’s successor is “American Idol” host Ryan Seacrest, who shared his gratitude on taking over such a huge role.
“I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest said in a statement posted to Instagram several months ago. “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, 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,” he added.
“Wheel of Fortune” premiered in 1975 with Chuck Woolery and Susan Stafford as the show’s hosts. It wasn’t until 1982 that Sajak and White came in and took over as co-hosts. Seacrest and White will make their on-air debut together when Season 42 premieres in the fall.