Beloved television programme Wheel of Fortune has been airing across American television screens since 1981, and now the game show's well-known host Pat Sajak is being celebrated for the length of his career.

After an exciting 35 years 198 days of seeing contestants take home grand prizes, Sajak officially holds the Guinness World Records title for having the longest career as a game show host for the same show.





For those who may not be familiar, Wheel of Fortune is based on the popular game "Hangman" - where compete by spinning the wheel and calling out consonants to solve the puzzle for cash or prizes. Contestants with enough money to do so can buy vowels for $250 each.

The contestant who has won the most cash and prizes at the end of the main game goes on to play in the "Bonus Round" for additional prizes. He or she has the chance to choose the category of their bonus puzzle from three options.





Pat Sajak has witnessed an array of lucky contestants go on to take home prizes, since he first hosted the show in 1983.

"I was very lucky in that I always knew that I wanted to be in broadcasting,” he said.





"My early heroes were people like Arthur Godfrey, Dave Garroway, Steve Allen and, especially, Jack Paar. They helped shape what a television personality was, paving the way for so many others."

Prior to hosting Wheel of Fortune, the Chicago-born presenter first broke in to broadcasting as a newscaster and announcer for a local radio station.





Later, he was hired by WSM-TV in Nashville, Tennessee as a staff announcer, eventually expanding his role to talk shows and weather reporting.

His Guinness World Records certificate accompanies other keynote accomplishments he has earned in his career as a game show host, including three Emmy® Awards, a People's Choice Award and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.