Longtime “Wheel of Fortune” announcer Jim Thornton has been suspended from the show, and his role will be recast, studio officials said.
\n\nSony Pictures Television Studios confirmed Tuesday in a statement to NBC News that Thornton will not be involved with the show as the studio investigates allegations against him.
\n\n“We have recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton. He has been suspended from ‘Wheel of Fortune’ and we are recasting while we conduct a thorough investigation,” the studio said.
\n\nIt did not provide additional details about the allegations or investigation.
\n\nThornton did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday.
\n\nTMZ was first to report Thornton’s suspension. The outlet also reported that the allegations involve an incident between Thornton and an American Airlines passenger on a flight in May.
\n\nIn a statement to NBC News, American Airlines did not mention Thornton by name. The airline did confirm there was an incident on a flight in May.
\n\n“On May 14, American Airlines Flight 1276 was met by law enforcement upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) following concerns reported by a customer onboard,” the statement said.
\n\nThornton, 66, has been the voice of “Wheel of Fortune”…
Original source: https://www.nbcnews.com/