The wait is over! Ryan Seacrest has made his debut as a host on Wheel of Fortune.

On Monday, September 9, the 49-year-old TV personality hosted his first episode of the game show alongside Vanna White, after taking over from Pat Sajak following his retirement.

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

While thanking the live audience for their “very warm welcome,” Seacrest admitted that “hosting Wheel of Fortune is a dream job.”

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

Ultimately, contestant Terry stole the show, winning $25,849 in cash and prizes. Before going to commercial break, Seacrest thanked Terry for “being here on my first night” and for being “a pleasure to be around” during the historic taping.

Earlier this month, Seacrest was announced as the new host of Wheel of Fortune in July 2023 — told PEOPLE how he prepared for hosting the game show in different ways.

“Since I got the job, I’ve been studying the rulebook, I’ve been 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 with a little wheel that we made ourselves to play, and I feel ready.”

Seacrest also said he’s looking forward to working with Vanna White, the series’ iconic letter-turner.

“I can’t imagine Wheel of Fortune without Vanna White. It doesn’t seem right, especially with a new host coming in,” Seacrest said. So far, he said, 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 his fans as he passed the torch to Seacrest.

“What an honor to be able to contribute even a little bit to all of that,” Sajak said of bringing together the families who watched the show each night. “Thank you for letting me into your lives, every time we filmed a show I met three new people from all over this beautiful country and the world who were kind and thoughtful, who cheered for each other, who were proud to talk about their families, their hometowns, their friends, their schools, their jobs, even their pets.”

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