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Ryan Seacrest admitted he feels the “pressure” to take over Pat Sajak’s spot on “Wheel of Fortune.”
Seacrest, 48, will take over hosting duties in the fall of 2024.
“There’s no one better than Pat Sajak,” the TV personality told “Entertainment Tonight.” “He’s so smooth and seamless. He’s loved by the country. So I feel a lot of pressure. (But) I’m very excited. I can’t wait to give away a lot of money to people every night.”
Despite the “pressure,” Seacrest also seems inspired by Sajak – whom he calls “a legend.”
VANNA WHITE EXTENDS ‘WHEEL OF FORTUNE’ CONTRACT AS CO-HOST THROUGH 2025-26 SEASON
Ryan Seacrest recently admitted that he’s feeling the “pressure” to take over Pat Sajak’s role in “Wheel of Fortune.” (Getty Images)
“I’ve always looked up to him. He’s so good at his job, which, you know, brings a little bit of pressure here,” he explained. “But he just said, ‘You’re going to have a great time. It’s so much fun. What’s better than giving away money and doing that every night?’ I can’t wait to meet the participants and do it.”
Seacrest’s new role was announced in June. “Wheel of Fortune” made the announcement on
“I am truly humbled to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” Seacrest said in a statement obtained by Fox News Digital. “I can say, along with the rest of America, that it has been a privilege and a pure joy to have Pat and Vanna on our television screens for forty years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”
Ryan Seacrest will assume hosting duties for the Wheel of Fortune beginning in fall 2024. (Getty Images)
Before the 48-year-old media mogul became a household name, he found a mentor in broadcasting legend Dick Clark, who helped propel his career from the sidelines to shining in the spotlight.
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Not only does Seacrest host multiple shows on various platforms, he also works behind the scenes as a producer for some of television’s biggest shows. His estimated net worth is around $450 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Sajak announced on June 12 that he was leaving Wheel of Fortune.
Pat Sajak will leave Wheel of Fortune after the 2023-2024 season. (Getty Images)
Sajak, 76, tweeted that while “it’s been a great ride,” he’s hanging up his hosting hat. “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, starting in September, will be my last,” he wrote.
He added: “I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Thank you to all of you. (It’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)”
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Vanna White will continue as co-host of “Wheel of Fortune” through the 2025-2026 season following the departure of Pat Sajak. (Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via Getty Images)
Despite Sajak’s departure, his co-host Vanna White will remain on the show until at least 2026. White extended her “Wheel of Fortune” contract through the 2025-2026 season, Fox News Digital previously confirmed.
The terms of the contract were not disclosed.
White joined Sajak on “Wheel of Fortune” in December 1982.
Vanna White has co-hosted “Wheel of Fortune” since 1982. (Christopher Willard/ABC)
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Tracy Wright of Fox News Digital contributed to this report.
