Hospitalized 'Wheel of Fortune' host Pat Sajak gives health update

Sajak had emergency surgery last week to correct a blocked intestine.

ByABC News via logo
November 11, 2019, 8:31 PM

"Wheel of Fortune" host Pat Sajak is on the mend, he announced Monday.

Sajak, who is recovering from emergency surgery to correct a blocked intestine, tweeted that he's still in the hospital, but hopes to be released soon.

Fellow "Wheel of Fortune" host Vanna White has moved from the letter board to the wheel in Sajak's absence.

"I’m so grateful for all the good wishes during my recent illness," Sajak tweeted. "Happy to say that the worst has passed, and I’ll be out of the hospital in a day of two, then back to work (unless @TheVannaWhite has completely taken over!)"

A tweet from the "Wheel of Fortune" account Friday revealed taping of the syndicated game show was canceled Thursday, as Sajak, 73, was ailing. He and White, 62, have worked together on "Wheel of Fortune" since the early 1980s, and have extended their contracts through 2022.

While White gamely assumed Sajak's responsibilities, she joked that his job is "safe ... well, pretty safe."

"Wheel of Fortune without @patsajak is like a word without vowels. I’ll fill in the blanks until you return," she tweeted. "Rest up and we’ll be solving puzzles in no time."