New Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest says he is ‘delighted’ that Vanna White has renewed her contract because she is ‘super important’ to the show – one day after her ‘substantial pay increase’ was revealed

New Wheel of Fortune host Ryan Seacrest says he’s over the moon that longtime pundit Vanna White has renewed her contract on the popular game show – after reportedly negotiating a staggering pay raise.

It was announced Tuesday that Vanna, 66, had signed up to stay on the program for another two years, with TMZ claiming bosses had agreed to give her a “substantial” increase in her salary of $3 million a year after 18 years of service. the same salary.

And according to Ryan, 48, who is set to replace outgoing host Pat Sajak, 76, on the show in fall 2024, no one is more excited about the news than him.

“It’s very good news,” he enthused during an interview with the Today show. “Vanna has been a staple of this series and in our living rooms for many years.

Vanna signed up to stay in the program for two more years

“I was very excited to work with her, but now that it’s official, I can say: Congratulations, Vanna. I can’t wait.

American Idol host Ryan believes Vanna is an integral part of Wheel of Fortune’s success.

“It’s super important to have Vanna White on Wheel of Fortune,” he continued. “She is loved by this country and by viewers and I can’t even imagine standing next to her on that set and being able to say, ‘OK, let’s do it.’ ”

“That’s excellent news. I’m very happy to hear it and very happy to be able to work with her.

He also hopes that Vanna can give him a hand and show him the land that is the Wheel of Fortune studio.

Last month, it was revealed that there had been some “hiccups” between Vanna and the show’s producers during her contract negotiations.

“They both know they have plenty of time to do it and other discussions to have, but everyone wants something to get done and wouldn’t want Pat’s last year to be hampered by the news constant drama of contract disputes,” a source told DailyMail. com.

“They want to celebrate this year with little to no drama.”

Reports claimed bosses had agreed to give him a “substantial” pay rise of $3 million a year after 18 years on the same salary.

According to sources, there were some “hiccups” between Vanna and the show’s producers during contract negotiations.

Ryan set to replace outgoing host Pat Sajak on Wheel of Fortune in fall 2024

The source added that there were some issues causing a slight stalemate in negotiations as this could be Vanna’s last Wheel of Fortune contract.

“Wheel wants to make the transition between Pat and Ryan seamless and having Vanna there would be wonderful to make it all happen,” the source continued.

“They want his next contract to be his last contract, so there’s a little more wiggle room to change things in a few years when they look for his replacement.”

They explained that Vanna still stands by her demand for a bigger salary, adding, “Vanna is actually OK with it, she just wants a huge salary that the show isn’t even willing to consider For now.

Pat, who has been on the game show since 1983, announced his retirement earlier this year.

“It’s a question of who’s going to move first, but they both aren’t blinking yet. Vanna wants to leave on her terms and retire when she’s ready with a nice salary to end all this .

Ryan revealed he had been named the new host of Wheel of Fortune in June in a post shared on Instagram, in which he said he was “truly honored to follow in the footsteps of the legendary Pat Sajak.”

“I can say, along with the rest of America, that it has been a privilege and a 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. us with them,” he said. said.

“Pat, I love how you always celebrated the contestants and made the viewers at home feel comfortable,” Ryan added. “I look forward to learning everything I can from you during this transition.”

Pat appeared to give Ryan his blessing that same month, as he wrote on Twitter: “Looking forward to my final season starting this fall, then handing the car keys to Ryan Seacrest in September 2024. ”

Ryan is one of the biggest media personalities in the United States and has hosted American Idol and On Air With Ryan Seacrest, as well as Live With Kelly And Ryan.

In 2006, he became co-host and executive producer of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

Wheel of Fortune has been on the air continuously since January 1975 – Pat’s predecessor, Chuck Woolery, served as host from its inception until 1981, with Pat taking over in 1983.