Ryan Seacrest Reflects on Pressure of Continuing Pat Sajak’s Wheel of Fortune Legacy (Exclusive)

Sajak’s final episode as host of ‘Wheel of Fortune’ will air on June 7

Ryan Seacrest and Pat Sajak. PHOTO: FRANK MICELOTTA/DISNEY VIA GETTY; GP/STAR MAX/GC IMAGES)

Ryan Seacrest is feeling pressure to step into Pat Sajak’s shoes as the new host of Wheel of Fortune.

In an exclusive conversation with PEOPLE at the Hulu on Disney+ celebration in Los Angeles on April 5, the American Idol host, 49, opened up about taking over hosting the hit game show from Sajak, 77, in September 2024.

“Well, no one can ever do what Pat has done. He is incredible,” Seacrest said. “He has made that show just something so very special for so long, and he has done such a seamless, remarkable job, so no one can be him.”

“So do I feel pressure? Sure,” the seasoned host continued. “People love watching him. I want them to keep love watching it, and I hope to do a great job as well.”

Ryan Seacrest at the official launch of Hulu on Disney+.FRANK MICELOTTA/DISNEY VIA GETTY

Although Seacrest is nervous, he told PEOPLE he’s spent a lifetime unknowingly preparing for the gig.

“I’ve been watching the show all my life, and I’ve been watching it as much as I can as an adult and as a child,” Seacrest admitted.

“I think that this is a show that means so much to a lot of people. It’s a part of their lives, they like to get together at the end of the day and try and solve the puzzles. And for me, it’s a chance to give away cash and prizes and work with the legendary Vanna White,” the radio personality added.

Pat Sajak.CHRISTOPHER WILLARD/DISNEY VIA GETTY

Sajak announced that he’d be retiring as host of Wheel of Fortune in June 2023 after hosting the show since 1981. A month later, it was announced that Seacrest would take over as host when the show’s 42nd season premieres in September 2024.

After Sajack made the official announcement on X (formerly Twitter) that he’d be leaving his long-time role, Suzanne Prete, EVP of game shows at Sony Pictures Television, told PEOPLE that the beloved host would remain a consultant on the show for three years.

In October 2023, Vanna White, who has co-hosted the show with Sajak since 1982, told PEOPLE how she was feeling about Sajak’s impending departure and admitted that she thought about exiting with him.

Vanna White and Pat Sajak.CHRISTOPHER WILLARD/ABC VIA GETTY

“Of course it’s a thought,” White said. “It’s like, ‘Well, wait, if you’re leaving, what am I going to do? How can I stay without you?’ It was a very hard decision for me to make, because it definitely crossed my mind. It’s like, ‘I just don’t know if I can do this without you,’ but I thought about it and I’m not ready to retire, so I am staying on.”

According to TVLine Sajak will retire as host on June 7. Per Rotten Tomatoes, his last episode as host of Wheel of Fortune will be titled “Thanks for the Memories.”