For millions of Wheel of Fortune viewers, his voice has been part of the show for 15 years.

Now, it is suddenly being removed.

Longtime announcer Jim Thornton, who joined Wheel of Fortune in 2011, has been suspended as Sony Pictures Television Studios investigates allegations concerning him.

Sony confirmed that Thornton has been suspended and said the program is recasting his role while the investigation continues.

But there is an unusual problem.

The first month of the upcoming season had reportedly already been taped with Thornton as announcer.

That means producers are now going back into those completed episodes and re-editing them with a different announcer — an effort one source described as a “major undertaking.”

Season 44 is scheduled to premiere September 14.

Thornton became the show’s announcer following the death of legendary announcer Charlie O’Donnell and remained through one of the biggest transitions in Wheel of Fortune history: Pat Sajak’s retirement and Ryan Seacrest’s arrival alongside Vanna White.

The investigation reportedly relates to an incident aboard an American Airlines flight in May.

American Airlines confirmed that law enforcement met Flight 1276 when it arrived at Los Angeles International Airport following concerns reported by a customer onboard.

However, an important detail has also emerged.

Thornton’s attorney says the announcer did not engage in illegal conduct, was not arrested and has not been charged with any crime. According to his lawyer, authorities briefly questioned Thornton before allowing him to leave.

Sony has not publicly detailed the allegations or announced a permanent replacement.

For longtime viewers, however, one change may soon be impossible to miss.

When the wheel starts spinning in the new season, the familiar voice they’ve heard for 15 years may no longer be the one introducing the show.