Ryan Seacrest Quits Live With Kelly Ripa: Meet His Talk Show Replacement!

Ryan Seacrest has become famous for never turning down a project. But now the man who managed to host American Idol, co-host Live With Kelly, and manage his radio show just announced an exit. And Seacrest stunned with the news that he will leave his co-hosting gig with Kelly Ripa.

Find out when Ryan announced his departure. And learn who will replace him. Get all the details below.

Ryan Seacrest – Leaves Kelly Ripa Talk Show

Viewers who watched the Thursday, February 16 episode of Live With Kelly And Ryan got a shock. Because Seacrest chose that episode to announce he quit the ABC talk show after almost six years. However, Ripa took on the task of announcing Ryan’s replacement, noted Us magazine.

Get ready for a major name change soon. Because Kelly’s famous husband, Mark Consuelos, will join her as her co-host. Fans know Mark as a frequent guest host. But many still felt surprised to hear Ripa, 52, share that her hubby, 51, will now go from occasional guest co-host to permanent co-host. 

Kelly herself began her reign on the talk show in 2001. And she initially co-hosted with Regis Philbin after Kathie Lee Gifford exited. However, when Regis left, an extended quest for a replacement began. But in 2017, Ryan joined Kelly as her new co-host.

Prepare For ‘Live With Kelly And Mark’!

Ripa and Consuelos worked together in the 1990s on All My Children. And after they found love between rehearsals, Kelly and Mark eloped in 1996. Through the years, the two became parents of Michael, 25, Lola, 21, and Joaquin, 19.

However, Kelly once shared that her husband could have taken on the co-hosting gig previously. “It’s so much a deeper discussion,” Ripa commented. “And it has so little, actually, to do with me.”

Ryan Seacrest Departing 'Live', Kelly Ripa to Be Joined by Husband Mark Consuelos Permanently pic.twitter.com/q6v8CDVJeS

— People (@people) February 16, 2023

But during an appearance on Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen in September 2022, Kelly reflected on co-hosts that she personally would choose. And she admitted that Cohen as well as his buddy Anderson Cooper would make great co-hosts for her talk show.

“I love [Anderson Cooper and Andy Cohen], of course,” gushed Ripa. “But they have jobs.” And she added that she also loves her husband. “But he had a job too. At the time he was working in California and then in Vancouver.” However, Kelly didn’t close the door on the idea of a female co-host. 

“I would have had a woman in a heartbeat,” said Ripa. But she shared that she doesn’t make the ultimate decision. However, she noted that she has “always found the idea of two women hosting a show very appealing.”

Tell us what you think. Will you miss Ryan Seacrest co-hosting with Kelly Ripa? And how do you feel about Kelly’s husband Mark Consuelos serving as the new co-host? After you share your views, check back on our site for more celebrity news.

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