Ryan Seacrest is stepping down from Live with Kelly Ripa after six seasons and being replaced by Ripa’s husband Mark Consuelos
- Seacrest announced its decision on the air Thursday morning
- He will be relocating to LA where he will continue to host American Idol
- The 48-year-old’s successor is Ripa’s actor husband Mark Consuelos
Ryan Seacrest has made the shocking announcement that he is stepping down from his role as presenter on Live with Kelly and Ryan after six years.
Seacrest, 48, will remain on the ABC show through spring. He will be replaced by Ripa’s actor husband, Mark Consuelos.
Seacrest is relocating to Los Angeles where he will continue to host American Idol and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.
He did not give a specific reason for his departure in the announcement on Thursday.
“I’ve made the decision to make this my final season on Live with Kelly and Ryan. This is bittersweet,” Seacrest said.
A somber Ripa clutched his arm and said she “fully understood his decision-making.”
Seacrest, 48, will remain on the ABC show through spring. He will be replaced by Ripa’s actor husband, Mark Consuelos
Seacrest will be replaced by Ripa’s actor husband, Mark Consuelos
In a subsequent statement, Seacrest said, “Working with Kelly for the past six years has been a dream job and one of the highlights of my career.
“She was a great partner, friend and confidante and while we will always be a part of each other’s lives, I will miss our mornings together.
“I also want to thank Michael Gelman and the entire staff and crew – we created memories to last a lifetime, met some of the most incredible people and received a warm welcome into the homes of so many viewers across America.
“It was a memorable ride and now I look forward to passing the baton to Kelly’s ‘real life’ husband, Mark.”
Executive Producer Michael Gelman said, “Farewells are never easy, but we look forward to welcoming Ryan with open arms on a regular basis.
“A fan-favorite guest presenter for years, Mark is no stranger to the ‘Live’ family.
The TV personalities posted Instagram tributes shortly after the on-air announcement. Seacrest did not give a reason for the departure
“Having him on the show is very special to us and we’re sure viewers will feel the same way.”
Seacrest joined the show in 2017 on a three-year contract to host the show. He stayed for six.
In an Instagram post shortly after the announcement, he said: “I will miss my work wife and all the laughs we share.
“When I signed on to host Live in 2017, it was scheduled to be a three-year presenter, but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much that I extended my tenure and made the decision last year to stay for one final season.
“I was grateful that I could have a cup of coffee with our audience every day, one of the best parts of the performance.”
Ripa is the mainstay of the show, having taken her seat as host in 2001.
She was joined first by Regis Philbin from 2001 to 2011, then by Michael Strahan from 2012 to 2016.
Consuelos has hosted Ripa several times in the past