‘Wheel of Fortune’ Producers Reportedly Considered ‘Eliminating’ Vanna White’s Role Amid Pat Sajak Retirement

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Update, 6/23/23 at 1:45 p.m. ET: After reports circulated that Vanna White could be leaving Wheel of Fortune along with Pat Sajak, an insider exclusively told Us Weekly that’s not the case.“There’s no truth to the rumors that with Pat’s retirement, Wheel of Fortune plans on eliminating Vanna in any way, shape or form,” a source close to production explained on Friday, June 23. “They’re currently in negotiations with Vanna.” Original story continues below: Wheel of Fortune won’t be the same show after Pat Sajak exits next year — possibly in more ways than one.According to a report from Puck published on Thursday, June 22, higher-ups at Sony have considered “eliminating” Vanna White‘s role after her longtime colleague, 76, retires from the game show in 2024.

White, 66, has been Sajak’s cohost on Wheel of Fortune since 1982.The outlet noted that White’s departure could happen if Sajak is replaced by someone who is already a household name.

White is reportedly in the process of negotiating her return after the conclusion of the 2023-24 season, which will be Sajak’s last.Earlier this month, Sajak announced that he will step down from the series in 2024 after more than 40 years as the host. “Well, the time has come,” he said in a statement on June 12. “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.”While some Wheel of Fortune viewers only know White as Sajak’s letter-spinning (and later letter-tapping) partner, she has also hosted the show in the past, filling in for Sajak in 2019 while he recovered from emergency surgery for a blocked intestine.“I’ve never even thought of that in 37 years, and