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Has Vanna White Ever Hosted ‘Wheel of Fortune’? See How Many Times She’s Filled in for Pat Sajak
Can you believe Vanna White just made her hosting debut on Wheel of Fortune after her nearly four-decade run on the iconic game show? The beloved letter-turning model marked her first-ever episode as host of the hit TV program as she filled in for legend Pat Sajak during the episode on Monday, December 9.
The 62-year-old beauty — who is temporarily hosting the show after Pat underwent emergency surgery in November — hit the stage alongside Minnie Mouse, Mickey Mouse and a few other Disney characters in part of the show’s Disney Week. Pat, who had to have emergency surgery to correct a blocked intestine last month — took to Twitter to clear up any confusion regarding the show’s schedule for the next few weeks.
“It’s a bit confusing, but here’s the deal: Vanna will be hosting this coming week and the next,” the game show legend wrote on Twitter on December 7. “Then two weeks of shows I taped before my surgery. Then Vanna again the week of January 6, with a special guest at the puzzle board. Then the planets will realign, and it’s back to normal.”
By our math, that means Vanna will be filling in for Pat over the course of three total weeks. With Wheel of Fortune airing one episode each weeknight, Monday through Friday, that means she will have hosted 15 episodes during this stint.
Prior to her debut as the interim Wheel of Fortune host, Vanna took to social media to give fans an update. “Tonight’s my first night of hosting Wheel!” she wrote on Twitter. “I’m excited and nervous! Stay tuned!”
Although fans were worried regarding Pat’s health, Vanna’s Twitter followers couldn’t help rave about her first-ever hosting gig after flipping consonants and vowels on Wheel of Fortune’s puzzle board for the last 37 years. “Good job Vanna! Hope Pat gets well soon, but they couldn’t have picked a better replacement! You go girl!!” one fan wrote, while another echoed, “Tuning in with the whole family to cheer you on! Best of luck!”
The Gypsy Angels actress — who was named Wheel of Fortune‘s letter-turning hostess in 1982 after star Susan Stafford left the show that October — couldn’t believe she was asked to fill in for her longtime friend. Just weeks after the news of Pat’s absence was first announced, the blonde beauty opened up about her highly anticipated gig during a sit-down interview with Good Morning America.
“I was like, ‘What? No. You’re kidding, right?'” Vanna recalled during her appearance on the ABC morning show. “He goes, ‘No, I’m serious,’ And my first thought was, ‘There’s no way.’ I don’t pay attention to Pat.”
Although Vanna was all jokes regarding her first-ever hosting gig, she told the outlet that she didn’t have to think twice once she realized the show’s executive producer Harry Friedman was serious. “I’m going to be a part of this and keep it going and will take Pat’s place until he comes back,” she continued. “He would probably do the same for me and I felt it was important for our fans to continue on with the show.”
Be sure to catch Vanna as she hosts Wheel of Fortune on the upcoming weekdays. Check your local listings.
