Pat Sajak to retire from 'Wheel of Fortune' after 41 seasons

Pat Sajak announced on Monday that he would retire from hosting the game show Wheel of Fortune after 41 years in that role, Variety reported.

“Well, the time has come. I’ve decided that our 41st season, which begins in September, will be my last,” Sajak wrote. “It’s been a wonderful ride, and I’ll have more to say in the coming months. Many thanks to you all. (If nothing else, it’ll keep the clickbait sites busy!)”

The show's producer Sony Pictures Television said Sajak would still be a consultant on the show and work behind the scenes at times.

“As the host of ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ Pat has entertained millions of viewers across America for 40 amazing years. We are incredibly grateful and proud to have had Pat as our host for all these years and we look forward to celebrating his outstanding career throughout the upcoming season,” Suzanne Prete, executive vice president of game shows at Sony Pictures Television, shared in a statement. “Pat has agreed to continue as a consultant on the show for three years following his last year hosting, so we’re thrilled to have him remaining close to the ‘Wheel of Fortune’ family!”

When Sajak began hosting the show in 1981, Ronald Reagan was president. Now, Sajak is the same age as former President Donald Trump, 76.

Under his leadership, the show has been nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award 19 times and won on three occasions.