Ryan Seacrest is stepping down as co-host of Live with Kelly and Ryan, ending a six-year run with Kelly Ripa on the ABC morning show.
Seacrest announced live on Thursday’s broadcast, “I’ve decided to make this my last season as co-hosts here with Kelly and Ryan on Live with Kelly, which is bittersweet.” “For a long time.”
Ripa’s husband, Mark Consuelos, already a fill-in on the show, will replace Seacrest and the program will be rebranded as Live with Kelly and Mark.
In a separate statement on Instagram, Ryan joked that he would miss his “work wife” and explained that he extended his contract repeatedly because he enjoyed working with Ripa. “When I signed on to host Live in 2017 it was to be for 3 years, but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much that I extended my time, and last year I decided to stay on for another final season. Decided to,” he wrote.
On air, Ripa called Seacrest a gem and one of her best friends.
“The greatest part of this whole experience has been that you’ve gone from friends to family,” Ripa said. The moment was a mutual gasp-fest, during which Ryan said he was getting emotional, but promised Ripa he wouldn’t cry.
Despite his impending departure, viewers will still have plenty of opportunities to get their Seacrest fix. He will remain on the show until the spring when he transitions to a guest host during the 21st season of the American Idol shooting in Los Angeles. He will also continue to host his own radio show as well as ABC’s New Year’s Eve broadcast.
Seacrest wrote, “I look forward to coming back as a guest host in the future and, Kelly, I promise to share my food photos, chicken eggs, and olive oil with you forever.” And congrats to my brother Mark, feel free to remodel my dressing room!”