A WHEEL of Fortune contestant got the surprise of a lifetime with a secret on-set proposal that even left host Ryan Seacrest in tears, The U.S. Sun can exclusively reveal.

The game show player thought she was showing up to the Los Angeles studio set to film a normal episode but little did she know, it was all a setup so her long-term boyfriend could pop the question.

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On a recent taping of Wheel of Fortune, former contestant Rhea Mathew returned to film what she was told would be a special segment for the show’s upcoming 50th anniversary, a source confirmed to The U.S. Sun.

Rhea, who previously appeared on an October 2023 episode of the game show, was joined by two other former “contestants” to solve a series of puzzles for what she was told was for the 50th anniversary.

Vanna White and Wheel announcer Jim Thornton hosted the segment as host Ryan, 49, was still backstage and not included in the bit.

Jim and Vanna, 67, asked the trio to solve three consecutive puzzles.

The first ended up spelling out “Will you go out with me?”

“Will you be my Valentine?” was the second puzzle of the segment.

The third is what kicked things up a notch, as it spelled out “Will you marry me?”

Rhea ended up solving the puzzle for the big question and as she said the words out loud, the wall where Ryan and Vanna typically walk out on set at the top of each episode lifted and her boyfriend, Robin, came out.

She immediately appeared emotional as Robin walked over to reiterate the question, and then he got down on one knee.

California nurse Rhea immediately said yes and the couple shared an emotional embrace – garnering a roar of applause from the audience and crew.

Ryan, who was backstage during the proposal, could be seen poking his head around the corner and wiping away tears as he became emotional witnessing the magical moment.

He said that he was watching the whole thing happen on a monitor backstage but was so moved by the couple he had to come out to join them.

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The American Idol host admitted that he “didn’t even know” the romantic surprise was happening as only a select few producers, as well as Vanna and Jim, were in on it.

Vanna also appeared emotional during the happy moment, stepping off to the side to collect her emotions while getting hugs and support from her pal Jim.

A staffer said most of the crew had no idea this was going to happen, although the two “contestants” Rhea played against were actually producers who were in on the surprise.

Vanna explained that Robin had previously approached the show to see what could be done for an on-set proposal, as Wheel is Rhea’s “favorite” show.

WHEEL-Y BIG DEAL

The producers were “excited” to make something work and spent weeks bringing the magical moment to life.

The engagement is expected to air on Wheel of Fortune in early January.

Rhea had previously competed on Wheel of Fortune in October 2023 on a Pat Sajak-hosted game shortly before his retirement.

The Redwood City, CA native unfortunately did not win her game, but walked away with $3,000.

Wheel of Fortune’s big changes

The game show has undergone a major transformation now that Ryan Seacrest has taken over hosting duties for Pat Sajak.

-Ryan and Vanna White now host on a brand-new set, featuring a blue-toned stage, a green screen and art-deco wheel design.

-Ryan and Vanna make their big entrance from behind new sliding, brightly lit doors.

-Vanna turns – or now, touches – a modern, digital puzzle board controlled by lasers.

-Ryan brings a new hosting style, and has ditched Pat’s signature cue cards.

-The prizes have also been upgraded, and now include tickets to NFL games, and tickets to A-list concerts.

Following the episode airing last year, she took to social media to express how much the TV moment meant to her.

Alongside a photo of her on set, she wrote: “Fun little life update I’ve been holding onto for a few months: I went on Wheel of Fortune!!!

“LOL anyone who’s ever talked to me on a day-to-day basis knows that my family congregates every single day at 7:30pm to watch Wheel of Fortune for as long as I can remember.

“I’ve always said it was on my bucket list to go on the show myself one day, so I sent in an application during quarantine, forgot about it, got called for a couple rounds of auditions earlier this year, and flew to LA for my taping day!

“This was an absolutely unforgettable experience and I truly loved every minute of it. Tune into ABC to catch me struggling hard to spin this 2400-lb wheel on our beloved Pat Sajak’s last season hosting.”

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