Jim Thornton fired from 'Wheel of Fortune' after 15 years on suspicion of pedophilia

Jim Thornton, who has hosted 'Wheel of Fortune' for 15 years, explains 'I opened it without knowing'

(Los Angeles = Yonhap News) Correspondent Kim Kyung-yoon = Announcer Jim Thornton, host of the long-running American quiz show 'Wheel of Fortune', was fired due to controversy over pedophilia.

The American daily Los Angeles Times (LAT) reported on the 4th (local time) that Sony Pictures Television terminated the employment contract between 'Wheel of Fortune' and Thornton.

'Wheel of Fortune' is a long-running quiz program that has been running since 1975, and Thornton has been the voice of the show for 15 years since 2011. It is currently airing on ABC.

This sudden dismissal was decided after the entertainment media outlet TMZ recently raised allegations of pedophilia against Thornton.

According to TMZ, last May, Thornton was caught looking into a chat room related to pedophilia on a laptop while on an American Airlines flight from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Los Angeles, California.

A passenger sitting near Thornton took a photo and reported it to the flight attendant.

In relation to this, Thornton explained that an acquaintance he met at a suicide prevention group sent him a link to the chat room, and he opened it without knowing what it was. He also explained that he left immediately after confirming the nature of the chat room.

However, LAT explained that looking at the time stamp in the photo, it appears that Thornton stayed in the chat room for about an hour.

Attorney Arison Hart, who represents Thornton, said, "My client has not committed any unlawful acts and has not been charged or arrested for any crime."

Thornton has worked as a reporter and announcer for KNX 1070 News Radio and KCBS TV, and has also served as a voice actor for the animated film 'Monsters, Inc.' and the video game 'Wall-E.'