Entertainment
Pat Sajak back for final spin to host ‘Celebrity Wheel of Fortune’ after retirement
![Pat Sajak back for final spin to host ‘Celebrity Wheel of Fortune’ after retirement Pat Sajak back for final spin to host ‘Celebrity Wheel of Fortune’ after retirement](https://nypost.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2024/07/85234943.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1024)
Just when you thought he was out, he’s back — for a short while.
Although Pat Sajak retired in June after a record-breaking stretch of hosting “Wheel of Fortune” for more than four decades, he will return to host the upcoming season of “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” premiering Oct. 7.
According to an ABC press release, this is his “final spin” on the franchise. He is not returning for more full-time hosting, The Post has learned.
This news comes just one month after Sajak, 77, retired with fanfare.
The notoriously snarky game show host bade farewell to “Wheel of Fortune” on June 7 after hosting contestants for more than 8,000 episodes across 41 seasons.
Sajak, who will be replaced by Ryan Seacrest on the main “Wheel of Fortune” show, ended his final episode with footage from his 1981 debut, where “Chicago, Illinois” was the first puzzle answer — a possible nod to his hometown.
A round was cut from the program to make room for Sajak’s goodbye message, but he gave each contestant $5,000 to make up for it.
“Well, the time has come to say goodbye,” Sajak said on-air.
“It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade.”
Sajak said he was proud of making the show “a safe place for family fun. No social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing, I hope. Just a game.”
In an additional video before his final episode aired, Sajak addressed fans directly with a similar message.
“Well, the time has come to say goodbye,” he began. “I have a few thanks and acknowledgments before I go, and I want to start with all of you watching out there. It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade.”
The show for him was where “kids learned their letters, where people from other countries honed their English skills, where families came together along with friends and neighbors, and entire generations,” he added. “What an honor to play even a small part in all of that. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.”
He also bade goodbye on-camera to his co-host, Vanna White, 67.
“Finally, to my professional other half,” he gushed. “We’ve seen a lot of changes in our lives over the years but we’ve always been there for each other. While I’ll very much miss working with her, I take solace that we live about 5 miles apart. So we’ll see plenty of each other.”