The wait is over! Ryan Seacrest made his hosting debut on Wheel of Fortune.

On Monday, September 9, the 49-year-old television star hosted his first episode of the game show alongside Vanna White after taking the spot following Pat Sajak’s retirement.

“Welcome to Wheel of Fortune. I’m your host, Ryan Seacrest,” he began. “I still can’t believe my luck to be here with you tonight to continue the legacy of this incredible show with all of you and, of course, my good friend Vanna White.”

As he thanked the live audience for the “very warm welcome,” Seacrest admitted that “the moderation Wheel of Fortune is a dream job.”

“I have been a fan of this show since I was a kid and watched it with my family in Atlanta, and I know how special it is that wheel has been in your living rooms for 40 years and I am so grateful to be invited,” he enthused. “I also know that I have big shoes to fill, so let’s play Wheel of fortune!”

In the end, contestant Terry stole the show, winning $25,849 in cash and prizes. Before the commercial break, Seacrest thanked Terry for “being here on my first night” and that it was “a pleasure hanging out with him” during the historic taping.

Earlier this month, Seacrest was announced as the new host of Wheel of Fortune in July 2023 – spoke to PEOPLE about the different ways he prepared to host the game show.

“Since I got the job, I’ve been studying the rule book and watching Pat’s episodes,” he explained at the time. “I’ve been rehearsing in conference rooms all over the country, depending on where I’m working. We travel on a little bike we built ourselves to play, and I feel ready.”

Seacrest also shared that he was looking forward to working with Vanna White, the show’s legendary letter-twister.

“I can’t imagine Wheel of Fortune without Vanna White. That doesn’t seem right, especially when there’s going to be a new host,” Seacrest says. So far, he says, they’ve had “a magical time together.”

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After 40 years, Sajak ended his Wheel of Fortune during an episode that aired in June. He addressed his departure in a monologue and thanked fans as he passed the torch to Seacrest.

“What an honor to play even a small part in that,” Sajak said of bringing families together to watch the show each night. “Thank you for letting me into your lives. Every time we taped a show, I got to meet three new people from all parts of this wonderful country and the world who were kind and considerate, who cheered each other on and took great pride in talking about their family, their hometown, their friends, their schools, their jobs and even their pets.”

He concluded, “Ultimately, they were the real stars of the show. I really like these people and will miss the chance to get to know even more of them.”