Ryan Seacrest, host of “Wheel of Fortune,” had an unplanned fall during the episode that aired on January 21, 2025. The incident occurred when an enthusiastic contestant’s celebration caused both of them to fall onto the studio floor.
The contestant, Daniel Thomas, hails from San Marcos, California. A lover of coastal road trips with his father, Thomas competed against Amaryllis and Dina in this memorable episode. He showcased sharp gameplay, amassing $31,950 in cash prizes and winning an upscale trip to Alaska, worth over $11,000, to view the Northern Lights.
During a bonus segment a contestant named Thomas solved a challenging “Living Things” word puzzle. Starting with just two letters visible (‘E’ and ‘S’), his strategic guessing revealed a pair of ‘P’s, ultimately leading him to successfully identify the word “Guppies” before time ran out.
The correct answer added $40,000 to Thomas’ earnings, pushing his total to $71,950. In his excitement, Thomas jumped up and down and attempted to hug Seacrest, 50. This caused the host to lose his balance and fall. Seacrest ended up on the studio floor, with his feet visible in the air.
Seacrest handled the situation with characteristic grace and humor despite showing signs of back pain. While Thomas responded with immediate concern, Seacrest defused any tension through reassuring words and even turned the moment into light entertainment, playfully seeking shelter behind a podium when more physical greetings seemed imminent. His quip to Vanna White about needing a replacement perfectly captured his ability to keep the mood light despite his obvious discomfort.
“I don’t know. I was just looking at the letter board, and I saw ‘P.’ It just popped into my head. But again, I’m so sorry,” Thomas said, patting Seacrest’s arm after the incident.
Despite the fall, Seacrest retained his typical good humor. “Pick me up, throw me over, tackle me, I’m totally fine with it,” he said later, encouraging future contestants.
The show’s announcer, Jim Thornton, humorously mentioned the incident while confirming Thomas’ $40,000 bonus round victory. After the initial fall, when Seacrest congratulated Thomas with another hug, he stayed balanced this time.
Even before the celebratory fall, the episode was particularly eventful, with an unusually high number of contestants landing on the Bankrupt wedge. This prompted Seacrest to joke with viewers, “If you’re just joining us to Wheel of Bankrupt, welcome!” Thomas’ impressive win was particularly highlighted when he solved the bonus round puzzle with only three letters revealed.
The show shared the incident on Instagram and YouTube, where it quickly gained online attention. Viewers expressed a mix of amusement and concern. Many reacted playfully, joking about the unexpected tackle and expressing admiration for Seacrest and the impressive puzzle solution. Numerous viewers teased about keeping the video for future reference, while others left light-hearted comments about Seacrest’s condition.
A fan humorously commented on their difficulty deciding whether to be more impressed by the puzzle solution or the unexpected tumble. Another pointed out the need to “protect Ryan Seacrest at all costs.” Some even advised future contestants, suggesting they avoid accidentally knocking Seacrest to the floor during the bonus round. The online community found the incident amusing while expressing genuine concern for the host.
This episode also showcased recent changes to the long-standing game show since Seacrest assumed hosting duties from the well-liked former host Pat Sajak. The updated set features a blue-toned stage, a green screen, and an art-deco-wheel design. Seacrest and White now enter through brightly lit, sliding doors. The traditional puzzle board has been replaced with a modern digital version controlled by lasers. The show has also expanded its prize offerings to include NFL games and A-list concert tickets.