As Ryan Seacrest gears up to take the reins of Wheel of Fortune, Pat Sajak is making it clear that he’s stepping completely away,

leaving the new host to navigate the iconic game show’s stage without any guidance.

At 49, Seacrest has taken over hosting duties when the 42nd season of the beloved game show begins in the fall.

Sajak, who retired in June at the age of 77, appears to have fully embraced his retirement and is enjoying his newfound leisure time.

Why Pat Sajak Is Allegedly “Bitter”

A source revealed to Closer, “Pat is thoroughly enjoying his time off and has no intention of getting involved with Ryan’s transition.” The insider adds that Sajak is “deliberately staying out of it,” suggesting there might be a touch of satisfaction in his choice.

Despite their public camaraderie, the insider notes that Sajak may harbor some bitterness about his departure from the show. “It’s clear there’s some resentment over how he was treated, and many felt his retirement was somewhat abrupt,” the source explained.

On the other hand, Seacrest is reportedly feeling the pressure as he readies himself for this significant new role.

“Ryan might reach out for help, but Pat is likely to be unavailable or offer only a vague ‘You got this,’” the insider continued. “Pat will be watching Ryan’s performance from afar, curious to see how he handles the demanding role of host, which is much more challenging than it appears.”

Fans Aren’t Loving Ryan As Pat’s Replacement

Ryan’s takeover has been off to a rocky start, as some fans called him unbearabe in a Wheel of Fortune promotion earlier this month.

In the recent Instagram teaser, Ryan Seacrest gave fans a glimpse of his upcoming role as host of Wheel of Fortune, sharing the stage with co-host Vanna White. Seacrest excitedly proclaimed, “I can’t wait to get to work,” while Vanna, wielding a megaphone, encouraged him with, “Let’s get you ready for fall.”

The clip humorously depicts Seacrest and White interacting with the show’s wheel, which is humorously loaded with bricks.

After giving it a spin, Seacrest remarked, “You weren’t kidding, this is great for the biceps,” as Vanna demonstrated bicep curls with the bricks. The video’s caption playfully noted, “Ryan’s building his Wheel-spinning muscles – one brick at a time.”

Despite the light-hearted tone of the video, fan reactions to Seacrest’s appointment have been mixed. Critics have expressed their disappointment over Pat Sajak’s departure, with comments such as, “What a poor choice!” and “I can’t believe I can never watch Wheel of Fortune again.” Some viewers have even gone so far as to call Seacrest “bland” and declare their intention to stop watching the show altogether.

While Seacrest has yet to address the criticism, sources have revealed that he is experiencing significant anxiety about stepping into Sajak’s iconic role.

“Despite his impressive resume, Seacrest is feeling the pressure,” an insider shared to Closer. “He breezed through hosting American Idol and had Kelly Ripa by his side on Live, but Wheel of Fortune is a whole different challenge.”

As Ryan prepares to take over the legendary role on Wheel of Fortune, the transition from Sajak’s decades-long tenure proves to be a challenging one, with both fans’ mixed reactions and Seacrest’s own anxieties underscoring the high stakes of his new role.