FINAL SPIN
Pat Sajak’s replacement for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune revealed as host is ‘not coming out of retirement’
The new host already has some game show experience
PAT Sajak isn't coming out of retirement, but he's also not saying goodbye for good to Wheel of Fortune.
Despite handing over his game show hosting duties to Ryan Seacrest earlier this summer, Pat Sajak is returning to TV this fall to host Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.
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ABC revealed that Pat Sajak would be returning to TV this fall as the host of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.
The show's fifth season is set to premiere on October 7, and will reportedly begin filming later this summer.
Longtime fans and Wheel of Fortune viewers were initially confused at the announcement, believing Pat to be done with the game show for good.
After 41 years on the job, Pat Sajak's last episode as the host of Wheel of Fortune came to an end on June 7, 2024.
Read More On Wheel of Fortune
Pat was set to retire from showbiz, and hand off his hosting duties to Wheel of Fortune's current host, Ryan Seacrest, which he did – just not for the celebrity edition of the show.
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As part of his contract, Pat Sajak reportedly has one more year of hosting duties to fulfill on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.
Pat's longtime co-host, Vanna White, is also set to join him for the show's celebrity edition.
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune typically airs about ten episodes per season, meaning Pat will have at least 10 more shows to film before he officially retires from Wheel of Fortune – for good.
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ABC has yet to reveal any of the famous faces appearing in the show's upcoming season.
Wheel of Fortune host timeline
Premiering in 1975, the beloved game show has had a few different iconic hosts in its nearly 50 seasons.
1975 - 1981 : Chuck Woolery was the original host of Wheel of Fortune until he departed in 1981.
1981 - June 2024: Pat Sajak took over and became a beloved Wheel of Fortune host for over 40 years.
September 2024: Ryan Seacrest was declared the newest host as Sajak announced his retirement.
Celebrity Wheel of Fortune first premiered in 2021, and has featured several of Hollywood's biggest names, including:
- Drew Carey
- Tony Hawk
- Neil deGrasse Tyson
- Nikki Glaser
- Sherri Shephard
- Joel McHale
- Snoop Dogg
- Chris Harrison
- Tim Gunn
- RuPaul
- Cheryl Burke
- Laverne Cox
One notable episode even featured Vanna competing against Jeopardy! hosts Ken Jennings and Mayim Biyalik.
The beloved game show will air weekly on Mondays, excluding days when ABC airs a Monday Night Football game.
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It will be followed by Press Your Luck, hosted by Elizabeth Banks.
If and when Celebrity Wheel of Fortune is renewed for another season, Ryan Seacrest is reportedly set to take on the show's hosting duties.
Ryan's first season as Wheel of Fortune's host also kicks off this fall, likely starting in September.
He's already been seen grabbing dinner with his new co-star, Vanna White, who says the two are "friends on and off camera," despite rumors saying otherwise.
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