Source: Ilya S. Savenok / Getty
It’s been a rough couple of days for Kelly Ripa after she found out her co-host Michael Strahan is leaving their show for Good Morning America.
E! Online reports the host is “livid” after finding out the retired NFL star would end his run with LIVE! at the end of the summer.
A source close to the story claims the decision was made by the network. “It wasn’t an overnight decision and took some time to put it in place,” the insider reported.
When the show aired Wednesday, Ripa was absent from the stage, further fueling rumors that she felt blindsided by the move.
ABC insiders reportedly told the Daily Mail that Kelly plans to boycott the show until Strahan leaves for good.
We hope this isn’t true. That would be P-E-T-T-Y.
Michael continued the show today as normal, addressing his departure without immediately mentioning Ripa.
“I can’t ask for better fans at all. You guys have been absolutely amazing. On top of that, I’ve worked with an incredible staff here,” he said, adding that he’s “always available to guest co-host if I get a call,” he told his fans.
At the end of the show, he closed out, lauding Ripa for her openness and the impact she has made on his life:
“I really want to thank, of course, Kelly Ripa, because Kelly welcomed me here and I’ve learned so much from her, and she’s just been an amazing influence on me. This has truly changed my life to be here with her, and I know that the show will continue to be strong and great because of Kelly…Kelly, I thank you. I love you and everyone else here at LIVE!.”
Hopefully his love doesn’t fall on deaf ears.
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