Wheel of Fortune Host Fired After Photos Appear to Show Him Scrolling Through Pedo Chatroom
Jim Thornton, the announcer for “Wheel of Fortune,” was terminated from his position following allegations that he viewed a chatroom linked to child sexual abuse material. The incident came to light after a passenger on a flight in May reported suspicious content on Thornton’s laptop, prompting an inquiry by Sony Pictures Television Studios. Thornton claimed he was part of a suicide prevention group and that he left the chatroom once he realized its nature; he was not charged with a crime.Even though police questioned him, they released him, asserting he had done nothing illegal. The controversy garnered media attention, with images appearing to show Thornton examining a chatroom associated with pedophilia, but his attorney maintained he neither viewed nor downloaded illegal content. The situation led to his immediate firing, despite Thornton’s assertion that he was innocent and not involved in any unlawful activity.
“Wheel of Fortune” announcer Jim Thornton was fired days after allegations that he was looking at a chatroom linked to child sexual abuse material.
The announcement was made Friday by Sony Pictures Television Studios days after it said he was suspended.
“Following a thorough investigation, Jim Thornton’s employment with ‘Wheel of Fortune’ has been terminated, effective immediately,” a Sony representative said, according to Fox News.
Initially, Sony said that, “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.”
TMZ had reported that after a May flight to Los Angeles, a passenger made a complaint about Thornton.
The passenger told TMZ that images and texts visible on Thornton’s laptop made her believe the chatroom was designed for pedophiles.
She told TMZ that one message read, “Couple of cute boys and a hot little girl.” Another read, “All-you-can-eat Boyfett,” she told TMZ.
Thornton’s explanation was that he is active in a suicide prevention group and was given the link for the chatroom by someone in the group.
Thornton alleged that once he realized the nature of the link he was sent, he left the chatroom.
TMZ reported that timestamps made it appear Thornton was in the chatroom for at least 57 minutes.
Thornton’s attorney told TMZ that the site Thornton visited is “not unlawful, there is no unlawful child pornography or other pedophilic content, and my client never viewed, downloaded or consumed any child pornography whether on that commercial flight in May or at any other time.”
Photos have emerged showing Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton looking at a ‘pedophilia’ chatroom while on an airplane, leading to his suspension from the show https://t.co/FvAVOqHIP9 🔗 pic.twitter.com/Z6OVpFiltW
— Daily Mail US (@Daily_MailUS) September 4, 2026
Thornton was not charged with a crime, his attorney noted.
Police met Thornton after the complaint was made but let him go.
“In short, my client did nothing wrong,” the attorney said.
TMZ noted that after Thornton was told to close his laptop on the flight, he asked a question on his phone that drew a response that read, in part, “Why you … [illegible] to Panic. Even if some…”
“No link to your room: Unless you explicitly told someone… ‘I am hosting this specific chatroom on for right now ‘nobody [illegible] at your internet [illegible]… and link your… identity to the… [illegible] room,” the response said.
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