New Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest says he is ‘delighted’ that Vanna White has renewed her contract because she is ‘super important’ to the show – one day after her ‘substantial pay increase’ was revealed
New Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest says he is over the moon that long-time letters whiz Vanna White has renewed her contract on the popular gameshow – after she reportedly negotiated a staggering pay increase.
It was announced on Tuesday that Vanna, 66, had signed up to remain on the program for another two years, with TMZ claiming that bosses agreed to give her a ‘substantial’ raise on her $3 million-a-year salary after 18 years on the same pay.
And according to Ryan, 48, who is set to replace retiring presenter Pat Sajak, 76, on the show in fall 2024, no one is more excited by the news than him.
‘This is such great news,’ he enthused during an interview with the Today show. ‘Vanna has been such a staple on that show and in our living rooms for so many years.
New Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest has expressed his joy that Vanna White has renewed her contract on the gameshow
Vanna has signed up to remain on the program for another two years
‘I’ve been very excited to work with her but now that it’s official I can say, Congratulations, Vanna. I can’t wait.’
American Idol host Ryan believes that Vanna is integral to Wheel of Fortune’s success.
‘It’s super important to have Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune,’ he continued. ‘She’s beloved by this country and the viewers and I can’t even imagine standing next to her on that set being able to say, “OK, let’s get to it.”
‘It’s great news. I’m very happy to hear it and very happy I get to work with her.’
He’s also hoping that Vanna can give him a helping hand and show him the lay of the land that is the Wheel of Fortune studio.
Last month, it was revealed that there had been a few ‘hiccups’ between Vanna and the show’s producers during her contract negotiations.
‘They both know they have a lot of time to do it and more discussions to be had but everyone wants something achieved and wouldn’t want Pat’s last year hampered by the constant news of the revolving contract dispute drama,’ an insider told DailyMail.com.
‘They want to celebrate this year with little to no drama whatsoever.’
Reports have claimed that bosses agreed to give her a ‘substantial’ raise on her $3 million-a-year salary after 18 years on the same wage
According to sources, there had been a few ‘hiccups’ between Vanna and the show’s producers during her contract negotiations
Ryan is set to replace retiring presenter Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune in fall 2024
The source added that there were a few issues causing a slight stalemate in negotiations due to the fact this could be Vanna’s last Wheel of Fortune contract.
‘Wheel wants to make the transition between Pat and Ryan seamless and having Vanna there would be wonderful to make that all happen,’ the insider continued.
‘They want her next contract though to be her last contract so there is a little more maneuverability to change things up in a few years when they look for her replacement’.
They explained that Vanna was still sticking to her request for a bigger payday, adding: ‘Vanna is actually OK with that, she just wants a tremendous payday that the show isn’t ready to even consider at this time.
Pat, who has featured on the game show since 1983, announced his retirement earlier this year
‘It is a matter of who is going to budge first, but they both aren’t blinking yet. Vanna wants to go out on her terms and retire when she is ready with a nice paycheck to end it all.’
Ryan revealed that he had been named the new Wheel of Fortune host in June in a post shared on Instagram, in which he said he was ‘truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak.’
‘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,’ he said.
‘Pat, I love the way you’ve always celebrated the contestants and made viewers at home feel at ease,’ Ryan added. ‘I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.’
Pat appeared to give Ryan his blessing that same month, as he wrote on Twitter: ‘I’m looking forward to my final season starting this fall, and then handing over the car keys to Ryan Seacrest in September of 2024.’
Ryan is one of the biggest media personalities in the US and has hosted American Idol and On Air With Ryan Seacrest, as well as Live With Kelly And Ryan.
In 2006, he became co-host and executive producer of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
Wheel of Fortune has continuously aired since January 1975 – Pat’s predecessor Chuck Woolery served as host upon its inception until 1981, with Pat taking over in 1983.
