Wheel Of Fortune's Vanna White could QUIT before her contract ends as she struggles to continue without beloved Pat Sajak - and 'doesn't jibe' with new host Ryan Seacrest

16/06/2024

White, 67, co-hosted the iconic game show with Sajak, 77, from 1982 Ryan Seacrest, 49, is taking over as host following Sajak's recent retirement READ MORE: Vanna White won't continue on show unless she gets HALF of Pat Sajak's salary as it is revealed she hasn't had raise in 18 YEARS

Wheel Of Fortune stalwart Vanna White is finding it so hard to continue without her longtime costar and leading man, Pat Sajak, that she may call it quits before her contract is up.

The legendary 67-year-old turned the tiles alongside Sajak, 77, for four decades until his recent retirement, and now cohosts the gameshow alongside his replacement, Ryan Seacrest.

But an insider told DailyMail.com that White is finding it so difficult to 'jibe' with the American Idol host, 49, that she is considering exiting the show before her two year contract ends in 2026.

'Vanna is retiring from the show when her contract ends, but there is a part of her that wants to walk away sooner,' a show insider said. 'It is just so difficult to do this without Pat.

'She just doesn't jibe with Ryan like she did with Pat, and no one really ever expected her to. There is just no way that she possibly could.'

Beloved Wheel of Fortune favorite Vanna White is having a 'difficult' time on the show following the departure of her cohost Pat Sajak, insiders claim

White, 67, signed a two-year contract to continue as a co-host of Wheel Of Fortune until 2026 alongside Ryan Seacrest, 49, following Sajak's recent exit (pictured with Sajak)

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Wheel of Fortune cohost Vanna White speaks out about her future on beloved game show - as she recalls heartwarming Pat Sajak moment on her first day

They continued: 'Vanna feels that she has put her time in. She devoted her entire life to this show and she had an incredible run while making a fortune.

'She knows that the show needs to go in a different direction and appeal to a younger demographic. She wants the show to continue.

'This will require a younger female host, someone who can be to Ryan what she was to Pat.'

In a newly released promo for season 42 of Wheel Of Fortune, Sajak officially handed over hosting duties to Seacrest, emphasizing just how lucky he was to work alongside White.

'You’re never going to find a better job, and you’re never going to find a better co-host,' he told Seacrest in the video featured on Variety.

White and Seacrest have already filmed two episodes of the upcoming season, which debuts in September.

This comes after White was locked in a contract dispute with Wheel Of Fortune bosses over her salary moving forward when Sajak first announced he was bowing out.

White was reportedly getting paid $3 million per year, and had not had a salary increase in 15 years, whereas Sajak was taking home a whopping $15 million, according to TMZ.

But sources claim White is struggling to 'jibe' with Seacrest, 49, (L)

Prior to Sajak's exit, White was locked in a dispute over her salary as it was revealed she had not had a raise in 18 years - and was making $12 million less than Sajak, 77, a year

Longtime American Idol host Seacrest has already shot two episodes for season 42 with White

The salary talks came to an end after executives offered White a 'substantial increase' to stay on for the 2025-2026 season.

'Wheel wants to make the transition between Pat and Ryan seamless and having Vanna there would be wonderful to make that all happen,' a source told DailyMail.com at the time.

'They want her next contract though to be her last contract so there is a little more maneuverability to change things up in a few years when they look for her replacement'.

Sajak - who hosted 7,942 episodes of the nighttime edition of the series from 1982 - announced his departure last June.

Following the shock news, Seacrest confirmed that he would be taking over the reigns on the long-running game show.

Speaking of White, Seacrest told E! News at the time: 'Of course, being next to Vanna, she's a legend. She's an icon. We spent a little shooting some promos for next season, and she's just so down to earth. She's exactly what you would expect.

'It's just so exciting to think about being on that set. I've watched the show for so many decades. I'm a fan of the show, and the game is the star.'

White, pictured with Sajak, 77, on season 10, 'wants to walk away sooner' than 2026 when her contract is up as she is finding it 'difficult' without him

The famed TV tandem's time on the game show has spanned close to 8,000 episodes, with White reduced to tears for their final show (pictured), which aired last week on ABC

He echoed his sentiments on his social media at the time, writing: 'I'm truly humbled to be stepping into the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak.

'I can say, along with the rest of America, that it's been a privilege and pure joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for an unprecedented 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.'

Seacrest ended his statement by saying he is optimistic about working with White.

'I can't wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and working alongside the great Vanna White.'

In an emotional video posted to YouTube earlier this month, White spoke candidly about the four decades she worked alongside Sajak.

'I don't know how to put into words what these past 41 years have meant to me, but I'm going to try,' she said.

The clip included a montage of the tandem's work on the program, which spanned around 8,000 episodes since White joined the show in 1982.

'When I first started, I was so green,' she said. 'You made me so comfortable and made me so confident, Pat - you made me who I am, you really did.'

She also noted how she and Sajak have been family friends off-camera before adding: 'We've laughed, we've cried, we've celebrated. Oh, gosh - what an incredible and unforgettable journey we've had. And I've enjoyed every minute of it with you.'

She continued: 'As this chapter of our lives is coming to an end, I know you'll still be close by. You're like a brother to me, and I consider you a true lifelong friend, who I will always adore. I love you, Pat.'

The tribute concluded with a clip of White blowing a kiss, and hugging her longtime colleague.

White is mother to two children with ex-husband George Santo Pietro: son Nikko, 29, and daughter Giovanna, 26; while Sajak is father to son Patrick, 33, and daughter Maggie, 29, with wife Lesly Brown, 59.

Maggie had auditioned for her dad Pat's spot as the show host, but ABC network decided to go with the seasoned reality TV show host Seacrest.

Sajak and White had an impressive run together and cemented themselves as one of TV's most beloved game show couples - and were even recognized with stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Sajak got his start as host of the daytime series in 1981, exiting that edition to host his own late night series in 1989. The daytime edition was canceled in 1991.

He won three Daytime Emmys for the gig, and in 2011 he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award for his work on the TV staple.

White was one of the three substitutes for former Wheel Of Fortune hostess Susan Stafford who left in October 1982, becoming the regular hostess just two months later in December.

Seacrest said that he was 'truly humbled' to work alongside the 'great Vanna White' in a social media post when he announced his new gig one year ago

In the newly released promo video where Sajak officially handed over the mic to Seacrest, he thanked his fans, who he referred to as 'family.'

'It’s been an incredible privilege to be invited into millions of homes night after night, year after year, decade after decade, and I’ve always felt that the privilege came with a responsibility to keep this daily half-hour a safe place for family, fun, no social issues, no politics, nothing embarrassing I hope, just a game,' he said.

'But gradually it became more than that,' Sajak continued, 'a place 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. What an honor to have played even a small part in all that. Thank you for allowing me into your lives.'

Aside from being the iconic Wheel Of Fortune co-host for the last four decades, White - a former Miss Georgia USA contestant in 1978 - has acted in minor roles and appeared as herself in films and TV.