Hollywood
Why is Ryan Seacrest leaving ‘Live with Kelly and Ryan’?
Seacrest announced he is stepping down from his co-hosting role on ‘Live with Ryan and Kelly’
Ryan Seacrest and Kelly Ripa announced the news that Seacrest will be saying goodbye to his role as co-host during their morning talk show, ‘Live with Kelly and Ryan’ on Thursday morning.
Seacrest joined the show as a cohost back in 2017 and has been on the air ever since. While Ripa joined earlier in 2001.
According to Deadline, this current season of ‘Live with Kelly and Ryan,’ is ranked as the number-one daytime talk show in households.
“I’ve decided to make this my last season as co-host,” Seacrest said, calling his decision to leave, “bittersweet.”
“You’ve gone from being a friend to a family member. You are family to us,” Ripa added. “I’m so proud of you and I cheer you on endlessly.”
Seacrest had originally committed to three years on the show but went on to co-host six seasons because of the “genuine fun” he’s had hosting, he explained.
“I look up to you. I respect you so much,” Seacrest said of co-host Ripa.
“I love the fact that we get to connect every day. There’s nothing like this on television. This show really comes today because of an incredible family of people.”
Who will replace Seacrest?
Seacrest will be leaving the show this spring and Ripa’s husband, Mark Consuelos will be taking his spot. Consuelos has filled in on the show countless times over the years.
The show will be rebranded as ‘Live with Kelly and Mark.’
Seacrest also announced the farewell on his Instagram account, along with 10 photos of the two hosting together.
“I’m going to miss my work wife and all the laughter we share. When I signed on to host Live in 2017 it was meant to be for three years, but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much that I extended my time, and last year I made the decision to stay on for one more final season,” Seacrest’s post reads.
Reason for departure
He also goes on to explain that his reason for departure from the show is due to other upcoming projects he is working on. Later this spring Seacrest will be co-hosting American Idol alongside Katy Perry, Luke Bryan, and Lionel Richie.
Seacrest will be continuing his radio show on KIIS-FM and his work with Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve. He ends the Instagram post by promising he will be returning to the talk show as a guest host in the future.