Working alongside Pat for years was Vanna White, who joined the show in 1982 as well. She was touched by Pat’s decision to leave the show and expressed her thoughts via social media. “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!” she wrote.Shortly after the saddening announcement of Pat leaving, it was revealed that TV personality and famous producer Ryan Seacrest would be taking over. “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,” Ryan, 48, wrote.
He has also received twenty-three Daytime Emmy Award nominations, winning three of them, plus a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2011 Daytime Emmy Awards. Even Ryan admitted he had big shoes to fill. “I’m truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” the soon-to-be co-host had said.
