Former 'Wheel of Fortune' announcer Jim Thornton shut down social media after firing
Page Six • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Former “Wheel of Fortune” announcer Jim Thornton was fired after being accused of participating in an alleged online pedophilia chatroom during a flight in May, leading to his social media accounts being deactivated and his removal from the show’s channels.
- Thornton was suspended pending investigation after a passenger reported his behavior on an American Airlines flight; law enforcement questioned him briefly and released him without charges, with his lawyer stating he engaged with a mental health support site by mistake.
- Despite his lawyer’s claims that Thornton did nothing illegal and was misdirected to a chatroom intended for individuals with pedophilic thoughts seeking help, TMZ published photos showing Thornton actively chatting in the controversial chatroom during the flight.
- Thornton’s messages in the chatroom raised concerns, including comments about children at a restaurant, and photos suggested he was nervous and panicked when confronted by a flight attendant.
- Thornton, who worked on the show for nearly 15 years and has not been charged with any crime, has not publicly responded to his termination.
