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Cousins! Wheel Of Fortune game show host Pat Sajak has announced that he’ll be spinning the wheel one mo’ gain as he makes his way to retirement!
The 76-year-old took to social media on Monday in a now widely circulated tweet to say, “Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all.”
According to a forwarded statement issued to CNN, Pat will continue to consult on the show for three years following his last hosting appearance, but as of right now, it’s unclear who will replace him.
“As the host of Wheel of Fortune, Pat has entertained millions of viewers across America for 40 amazing years,” says, Suzanne Prete, executive vice president of game shows at Sony Pictures Television. “We are incredibly grateful and proud to have had Pat as our host for all these years and we look forward to celebrating his outstanding career throughout the upcoming season.”
Originally debuting in 1975, Wheel of Fortune can be described as an adult spelling bee-based televised game show or loosely influenced by the game Hangman.
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Pat has been the face of the family-friendly game show for the last forty years alongside his co-host Vanna White. It has been indicated that the dynamic duo has been named the two longest-standing hosts of any television program in game show history.
The Chicago native has won three Emmys in his career as a host of Wheel of Fortune and has also been named the Lifetime Achievement recipient in 2011.