Ryan Seacrest is “very excited” to have Vanna White join him when he takes over Wheel of Fortune.
White’s deal, which secures the game show a syndicated series spot through the 2025–26 season (and thus the departure of longtime host Pat Sajak), was announced Tuesday.
This happened when Seacrest, Sajak’s replacement, was preparing a performance for Sunday Today with Willie Geist — meaning the NBC show got the broadcaster’s first reaction.
“This is such great news,” Seacrest, 48, told Geist, 48, in a “Sunday Sitdown” segment, a preview of which aired onToday Wednesday. “Vanna was the main character in that show and in our living rooms for so many years. I was really excited to work with her, but now that it’s official I can say, ‘Congratulations Vanna! I can not wait.’ “
The American Idol the host, who will start his Wheel of Fortune duties next fall, he went on to say he thinks it’s “super important” to have White on the show.
“She’s a favorite in this country and with viewers and I can’t even imagine standing next to her on that set and being able to say, ‘Okay, let’s do it.’ That’s great news,” he continued. “I’m very, very happy to hear that and I’m very happy to be able to work with her.”
Seacrest added that as the new guy, he’ll also be able to ask White for her guidance, joking, “Vanna, please tell me what to do!”
“I can say, ‘How does this work? Where are we going now? What’s next? Okay, got it,’ he said.
Vanna White is in ‘negotiations’ to stay on Ryan Seacrest’s ‘Wheel of Fortune’ (Source)
Vanna White on the wheel of fortune.
Christopher Willard/ABC via Getty Images
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White is on Wheel of Fortune for over 40 years, joining the games in 1982.
A source familiar with White’s negotiations previously told PEOPLE that she was seeking a raise and equal pay with Sajak, 76, after earning approximately $3 million a year for the past 18 years without any raises.
The current 41st season of the series, which started last week, will be Sajak’s last. In June, he announced that he would retire after the show’s 41st season and shared further x that he had a “wonderful ride”.
The following month, Sony Pictures Television confirmed Seacrest, 48, as Sajak’s replacement and shared a statement from the star.
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Vanna White and Pat Sajak.
Middlesworth/ABC via Getty Images
“I am truly humbled to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” he said. “I can say, like the rest of America, that it has 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 at home with them.”
“Pat, I love the way you always celebrate the competitors and relax the viewers at home. I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.”
He continued: “A lot of people probably don’t know this, but one of my first jobs was running a little game called Click for Merv Griffin 25 years ago so this really is a full circle moment for me and I’m grateful to Sony for the opportunity. I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning wheels and working with the great Vanna White.”
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Back in December, White told PEOPLE in December that she wasn’t ready to leave Wheel of Fortune behind.
– I don’t even want to think about it – she said and added that it is difficult to imagine a world in which neither she nor Sajak lead the series.
Wheel of Fortune airs weekly in syndication (check local listings).
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Source: HIS Education