“See you next time” – Celebrity Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak says goodbye in his final episode

Pat Sajak signed off from Celebrity Wheel of Fortune for the final time during the episode that aired Tuesday, marking the end of an era. The 78-year-old host, who had already concluded his long-running tenure on the syndicated version of Wheel of Fortune in June 2024, returned for one last spin on primetime.

“See you next time for more Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” Sajak said at the end of the episode — a signature farewell now carrying the weight of finality.

The episode opened with Sajak and co-host Vanna White walking on stage together for their final appearance on the celebrity spinoff. Sajak thanked the network, joking:

“I want to thank ABC for the opportunity to host Season 5 of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. I hope they’ll take a close look at my proposed primetime series, Sajak Senior Secret Agent.”

White responded with a smile:

“Sounds like a winner.”

---

Sajak’s last spin: Closing chapter on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune

Pat Sajak hosted Celebrity Wheel of Fortune through its fifth season, which began airing on April 30, 2025. His final appearance was taped in 2024, following his retirement from the flagship Wheel of Fortune series. Sajak had originally announced his retirement in June 2023, noting:

“I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last. It’s been a wonderful ride.”

He officially ended his run on the syndicated version of the show with the episode that aired on June 7, 2024. Tuesday's farewell episode of Celebrity Wheel of Fortune featured Broadway stars Renée Elise Goldsberry, Bernadette Peters, and Jesse Tyler Ferguson as contestants.

During gameplay, Peters spun a Bankrupt, losing her Million-Dollar Wedge. Sajak, staying in character, told her:

“You’re bankrupt, yes. It means you even lose your wedges. There should be a little receptacle somewhere near your area,” before tossing the wedge over his shoulder.

Ferguson won the main game with $59,300 for his chosen charity, No Kid Hungry by Share Our Strength. However, he was unable to solve the final bonus puzzle, “The Happy Dance,” and missed out on an additional $25,000.

Sajak’s previous return to Celebrity Wheel of Fortune occurred six months after he retired from the regular show, when he hosted a holiday episode featuring Chance the Rapper, Dionne Warwick, and Lil Jon. However, the June 10 episode marked his official farewell from the spinoff.

Throughout his career, Sajak hosted over 8,000 episodes of Wheel of Fortune and played a central role in shaping its primetime adaptation, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, which debuted on ABC in 2021. The celebrity edition retained the classic game structure but featured notable guests playing for charity.

---

Vanna White opens up about Sajak’s exit

Vanna White, who has co-hosted alongside Pat Sajak since the early 1980s, joined him for the final Celebrity Wheel of Fortune episode. Their on-screen chemistry has been a defining feature of both the syndicated and celebrity versions of the show.

After the main game concluded, White joined Sajak, Ferguson, Goldsberry, and Peters onstage for a joint farewell. Since Sajak’s retirement, White has continued on Wheel of Fortune alongside new host Ryan Seacrest, whose debut aired on September 9, 2024. In an interview with TV Insider on April 24, 2025, White shared her thoughts on working with Seacrest and moving forward.

“Ryan did his homework. He rehearsed and rehearsed and rehearsed. He also said to me, ‘I am not replacing Pat Sajak because no one could – ever. I am just stepping in.’ That made me feel good,” she said.

Reflecting on her final day filming with Pat Sajak, White described it as emotional, noting that she felt uncertain about what lay ahead and that it marked the close of an extraordinary chapter. She also reassured fans that their bond remains strong, saying they still see each other, share meals, and remain close friends.

White described her long-time co-host as “sweet and unassuming,” echoing Sajak’s own remarks from June 2024, when he said:

“Like me, she takes the show very seriously, but not herself. I shudder to think what these 40-plus years might have been like had they brought someone in all full of themselves, playing the prima donna role.”

Although Celebrity Wheel of Fortune is returning for Season 6, Sajak will not be returning as host. Ryan Seacrest will also take over hosting duties for the spinoff.

---

ABC has not announced the premiere date for the new season yet.