Wheel of Fortune fans furiously defend Vanna White amid ongoing contract negotiations – and claim Ryan Seacrest is going to ‘TANK’ the show after taking over from Pat Sajak

Wheel of Fortune fans have staunchly defended Vanna White during her ongoing contract negotiations ahead of the new series — claiming that Ryan Seacrest would “fuel” the show.

The program’s official Instagram account sparked outrage after it uploaded a photo earlier this week to promote the latest season’s Sept. 11 premiere — which will be Pat Sajak’s last.

Standing side-by-side with beaming co-host White, 66, the 76-year-old was shared alongside a playful caption that read, “41 never looked so good.”

But instead of fueling enthusiasm for the upcoming shows, the post was flooded with comments about White’s ongoing contract negotiations following the news that Seacrest, 48, would be taking over from Sajak in 2024.

Fans of the Wheel of Fortune rushed to the comments to share their thoughts on the situation – and didn’t hold back.

One wrote, “Probably the last season since Ryan Seacrest takes it on and you don’t give Vanna a raise.”

Another asked, “Will Vanna get a raise this season?”

And a third said, ‘Well done you two!!! She already needs a raise!!! What are you waiting for??? Do it!!!’

The outpouring of support for White comes just weeks after DailyMail.com exclusively revealed that she felt Wheel of Fortune bosses viewed her as “expendable.”

The TV personality believes there’s also been a “disrespect for her” after the show hired Seacrest as Sajak’s successor — less than two weeks after the longtime host publicly announced he was stepping down — without her a chance to take on the role.

An insider said: “She was disappointed that they didn’t give her more of a chance to take over Pat’s job, or that they couldn’t give her two cents for the replacement.

“She didn’t expect them to announce his replacement so soon.”

The source was quick to stress that White had “only respect for Ryan and would love to work with him, but it just shows a lack of respect in her eyes that they have for her.”

“She wants to stay with the show as long as she wants to be on the show, on her terms. She believes she deserves it,” the source added.

“It’s an uphill battle, especially when there’s money involved and she sees the writing on the wall that they think she’s expendable.

“There will be a lot of negotiations, but if she is replaced and not given a new contract, she will be heartbroken.

“This has been her life. It would be as powerful as a death if she doesn’t continue the show.”

Sajak announced in July that he would retire in 2024.

‘Well, the time has come. I have decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” he wrote on Twitter at the time.

“It has been a beautiful ride and I will have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to all of you. (At least it keeps the clickbait sites busy!)’

It was followed shortly after by a personal announcement from Seacrest to reveal that he would be helming the show after Season 41 ended in June next year.

“I am truly humbled to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak,” he said in a statement posted on social media.

“I can say, like the rest of America, that it has been a privilege and sheer joy to watch Pat and Vanna on our television screens for 40 years, making us smile every night and feel right at home with them.”

Seacrest then wrote a heartfelt message to the show’s longtime frontman.

“Pat, I love the way you’ve always put the spotlight on the contestants and put the viewers at ease at home. I look forward to learning from you during this transition,” he said.

Seacrest added, “I can’t wait to continue the tradition of spinning the wheel and teaming up with the great Vanna White.”

White first joined Wheel of Fortune in 1982 when she was 25 years old and has been the presenter opposite Sajak ever since.

White’s contract negotiations are believed to be ongoing.

Seacrest will reportedly continue to host American Idol and his KIIS-FM radio show On Air With Ryan Seacrest.