Pat Sajak is not coming out of a short-lived retirement to host the upcoming season of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.” Instead, this was always part of his plan, as TMZ has learned.
When ABC announced on Wednesday that Pat would be hosting the fifth season of ‘Celebrity Wheel’ this fall, there was speculation that he was pulling a Tom Brady by quickly backing out of retirement. However, sources with direct knowledge have clarified that this was always part of Pat’s succession plan. He intended to do one last season of ‘Celebrity Wheel’ before completely handing over the reins to Ryan Seacrest.
Pat had one more year of the show’s primetime edition as part of his prior contract. He has already concluded his 41-year stint on the original syndicated “Wheel of Fortune,” with his last new episode airing in early June. This led to some confusion when ABC announced he would be hosting ‘Celebrity Wheel’ again.
Our sources say Pat has not yet filmed any episodes for ‘Celebrity Wheel.’ The show is set to air in October, and he will be in the studio filming those episodes later this summer. Once Pat finishes this last season, Ryan Seacrest will take over for the following season. This fall will mark Pat’s truly final appearance on any ‘Wheel of Fortune’ show, so fans should savor it.
Source: TMZ
