TV and radio host Ryan Seacrest announced today that he is leaving Live With Kelly and Ryan. Seacrest made the announcement on today’s episode of Live saying he has plans to move back to the west coast in the spring as he prepares to host the 21st season of American Idol. Seacrest will be permanently replaced with Riverdale star Mark Consuelos who is co-host Kelly Ripa’s husband and guest-host when Seacrest was absent. The show will officially be rebranded as Live With Kelly and Mark. Seacrest referred to his departure as a “tough” and “bittersweet decision. Speaking of his live co-host, Seacrest said. “Working alongside Kelly over the past six years has been a dream job and one of the highlights of my career. She has been an amazing partner, friend, and confidant, and although we will always be a part of each other’s lives, I will miss our mornings together.”
Kelly Ripa Bids Farewell to Yet Another ‘Live’ Co-Host with Ryan Seacrest
Kelly Ripa started hosting Live in 2001, replacing Kathie Lee Gifford and working alongside long-time host Regis Philbin. Philbin retired in 2011 and passed away in 2020. The show was rebranded as Live! With Kelly from 2011 to 2012, with Ripa having several different guest hosts. Michael Strahan became a permanent co-host in 2012 and left the show in 2016 to join Good Morning America. The former co-hosts have had a public fall-out since Strahan’s departure.
Ryan Seacrest joined the show in 2017, adding to his many hosting responsibilities. Along with Live, Seacrest’s hosting responsibilities have included E! News, American Top 40, New Year’s Rockin Eve (following Dick Clark’s death), and his radio show On Air with Ryan Seacrest. In October of last year, Seacrest was honored with the National Association of Broadcasters’ Distinguished Service Award.
Kelly Ripa honored her Live co-host Ryan Seacrest in a statement, saying, I’m so grateful to have spent the last six years beside my dear friend of too many decades to count and will miss starting my days with Ryan. Ryan’s energy, passion and love for entertainment is one-of-a-kind.”