It’s happening: Live With Kelly and Ryan is saying goodbye to one of its hosts — but it’s not who fans might have expected to leave.
On February 16, Ryan Seacrest shocked longtime viewers when he made a surprise announcement about his future. As he sat alongside Kelly Ripa, he revealed his plans to depart from the morning talk show after being on the air for six years. What’s more, news broke that Kelly’s husband Mark Consuelos will be taking over Ryan’s role as co-host once he steps away from daytime TV later this spring.
“So, Kelly and I have some news here,” he said on the show. “This is something that she and I have been talking about for a long time and it was a tough, tough decision. Last year, we spoke and I made the decision to make this my last season as co-host with Kell here on Live With Kelly and Ryan, which is bittersweet.”
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He continued: “I love the fact that we get a chance to sit here every day and connect with you at home, in your kitchens, in your living rooms, at work … There’s nothing like this on television. I’m getting emotional. I promised Kelly I wouldn’t cry … I will always be forever grateful.”
Reacting to the news in real-time, Kelly posted her own Instagram celebrating Ryan and their relationship that has made them like “family.” She also congratulated Mark for his exciting next phase on television.
What’s more, when the show’s official Instagram shared the clip, Live fans immediately swarmed the comments section with their thoughts. Unsurprisingly, many were upset over the announcement.
“Sad to hear this you have brightened up the show. Much success for you. Love your humor, willingness to be vulnerable, your authenticity and kindness. ????,” one person wrote. “You will be greatly missed! ????,” another agreed. “Bittersweet is the best way to describe this! ????❤️????,” a different user added.
So, does Ryan have any plans after bowing out of Live? As he clarified with his own Instagram, he has a lot in store for him once he films his final episode sometime later this year.
“I’ve been grateful to be able to share a cup of coffee with our viewers everyday, one of the best parts of the gig,” he captioned a series of photos with Kelly. “I’ll be transitioning out of Live this spring to shoot the 21st season of American Idol in LA, continue my radio show on KIIS-FM and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve, and focus my summer on opening three more Ryan Seacrest Foundation Studios in pediatric hospitals across the country.”
He concluded: “I’m looking forward to coming back to guest host in the future and Kelly, I promise to forever share my food photos, chicken eggs, and olive oil with you. And congratulations to my brother Mark, feel free to remodel my dressing room!”
While we’re sad to hear about him leaving, we’ll be appreciating every moment up until then.
Editorial Assistant
As the entertainment and news editorial assistant for Good Housekeeping, Adrianna (she/her) writes about everything TV, movies, music and pop culture. She graduated from Yeshiva University with a B.A. in journalism and a minor in business management. She covers shows like The Rookie, 9-1-1 and Grey’s Anatomy, though when she’s not watching the latest show on Netflix, she’s taking martial arts or drinking way too much coffee.
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