Why Vanna White Had to Miss 5 Episodes of Wheel of Fortune Just Weeks into Pat Sajak’s Final Season

Even someone as glamorous as Vanna White needs sick leave from time to time.

During Wheel of FortuneIn Teachers Week 2023, which was filmed in August but airs this week, the co-host, 66, had to step away from the iconic blackboard as she recovered from COVID-19.

Host Pat Sajak addressed her absence at the start of Monday’s episode.

“You’ll notice that Vanna is not here and I have to say that Mrs. White has tested positive for COVID. That’s bad news,” Sajak, 76, told the crowd. “The good news is I just spoke to her a little bit ago and she’s feeling fine. She’s sniffling a bit. But she tested positive and that’s how it goes, so she won’t be with us this week.”

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According to Entertainment Weekly, the Teacher’s Week episodes could not be rescheduled because the teachers had already arrived in Los Angeles for filming over the summer when White became ill. However, the production paused the filming of the next regular episodes to allow White to recover.

Last month, White reached an agreement with Wheel of Fortune to extend his contract for two additional years, meaning he will continue to participate in the syndicated game show through the 2025–26 season. As a result, White will work alongside Ryan Seacrest when he takes over hosting duties from Sajak next fall.

Ricky Middlesworth/ABC via Getty

Sajak, who appeared in the series in 1982, announced the current 41st season of the series in June Wheel of Fortune it will be his last. The following month, Sony Pictures Television confirmed Seacrest, 48, as Sajak’s replacement from fall 2024.

Seacrest told Willie Geist in September that he felt “very excited” to work with White.

“This is such great news,” Seacrest said on Today A “Sunday Sitdown” segment in which White reaches a deal with Wheel. “Vanna was the main character in that show and in our living rooms for so many years. I was very excited to work with her, but now that it’s official I can say, ‘Congratulations Vanna! I can not wait.'”

Ryan Seacrest in the May episode of ‘American Idol’.

Eric McCandless/ABC via Getty

While speaking with PEOPLE that same month, Seacrest admitted that he had concerns about taking on Sajak’s role next year.

“I’m sure I’m going to get nervous,” he said American Idol host told PEOPLE in September. “The series has always been a staple for people, me and my family. And so you just want to go out there and do what’s been going on for so many years and not screw it up.”

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Despite all the changes happening on the show, 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, adding, “I mean, [Pat and I] we are a team.”

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Wheel of Fortune airs weekdays at 7:00 PM ET on ABC.

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Source: HIS Education