Pat Sajak is officially retired from Wheel of Fortune! 

His replacement Ryan Seacrest paid tribute to the legendary game show host before his first episode stepping into the role,

even though Ryan’s entrance on the show has caused controversy for the pay gap between him and Vanna White.

“Pat, congratulations on an incredible run with Wheel of Fortune! Your dedication, charm, and wit have made the show a beloved part of American television for decades,” Ryan wrote on Instagram.

He included a photo of himself alongside Pat and Sajak, who co-hosted the show together for decades.

Ryan Seacrest Wrote A Touching Tribute For Pat Sajak

“Your partnership with Vanna has been nothing short of iconic, and together, you’ve created countless wonderful memories for viewers,” he continued. “You’ve set the standard for hosts everywhere, and this marks the end of an era. Best wishes for all your future endeavors!”

Pat’s final episode was June 7, which was a long time coming, considering he announced his retirement last year. Sajak hosted over 8,000 episodes during his time with Wheel.

Based on Seacrest’s post, he’s maintaining a positive public persona about his new hosting gig, even though recent reports have said he may be regretful of signing on to lead the show.

“Despite his glittering résumé, Seacrest is terrified,” a source told Closer Magazine. “He breezed through hosting Idol and had Kelly Ripa to lean on during Live — but Wheel is a different beast altogether.”

Seacrest May Regret His “Wheel Of Fortune” Gig

“The entire future of this beloved show now hangs on his shoulders, and he knows it!” they continued. “It’s the biggest risk of his career. Ryan’s always been the picture of charm and confidence — but this time, the stakes are higher than ever!”

Despite Ryan maintaining a calm demeanor while filming his first promotional video for the game show, the source indicates that his anxiety is intensifying.

“Never count Ryan out, he always rises to the occasion,” they stated. “Come September, he’ll show the world why he’s the king of TV!”

Ryan’s appointment as host stirred up controversy, especially with reports suggesting his salary is in the tens of millions. This revelation was particularly jarring given that Vanna White, a co-host with Pat Sajak since Wheel of Fortune’s inception, had not received a pay increase in nearly twenty years.

After Seacrest was announced as Sajak’s replacement, Vanna sought legal counsel and was ready to depart from the show before they negotiated a new compensation package for her behind closed doors.

Nevertheless, it remains uncertain if her salary now matches that of Seacrest, despite him being the newcomer to the program, as the figure she settled for hasn’t been publicly revealed.

Nevertheless, reports suggest that Seacrest has been forming a good rapport with White, indicating that she doesn’t hold him responsible for the salary controversy with the network. As Seacrest settles into Sajak’s old role, fans of the iconic game show will face significant adjustments, despite Seacrest’s extensive experience as a television host.