It turns out that even the most polished TV veterans can make on-air gaffes sometimes - just ask Pat Sajak!

It all went down in a recent episode of Wheel of Fortune, which the 74-year-old has now been hosting for 37 years. Sajak had viewers on the edge of their seats when he sort of blurted out the answer to a puzzle while the contestant was still working it out.

And guess what - the contestant didn't even notice!

The letters visible on the board at the time of the host's blunter on last Thursday's show were: "_ _ _ TE _ RAN _ L _".

Check out the gaffe here:

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The answer spelled out: "Quite frankly" but before it was even revealed, Sajak blurted out: "Well, I'd rather be standing here than there, QUITE FRANKLY."

However, the contestant wasn't paying attention and didn't manage to answer the puzzle correctly within the given time.

Hilariously, Sajak's co-host, Vanna White, 64, didn't let him get away with what could have been a real giveaway. She laughed as she asked him: "Did you hear what you said?"

Sajak told her: "I did, right after I said it. I wonder how many people at home caught it. There weren't many letters up there and I said, 'I'd rather be here than up there, quite frankly' -- which was the puzzle.

He went on to say: "But it goes to show you that people are concentrating and they're not paying any attention to me. It's funny what your mouth will say when your brain says, 'You shouldn't do that.'"

Ending the show, Sajak quipped: "Quite frankly, see you next time", with White adding: "Yes, we will!"

When the gaffe was posted to Wheel of Fortune's official YouTube channel, a number of viewers took the comments to share their thoughts.

One said: "I was thinking in the back of my mind for a while that it was only a matter of time before Pat let a puzzle solution slip - quite frankly."

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Another added: "Can't believe Sajak gave away the bonus puzzle and if that's every other host doing that they would have been told to replace the answer."

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A third said: "That's got to be the most embarrassing episode of Wheel of Fortune tonight."

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Featured image credit: Sipa US / Alamy Stock Photo

Pat Sajak accidentally blurts out 'Wheel of Fortune' answer - but contestant doesn't realize