The ABC morning show Live with Kelly and Ryan is ending its six-year run with Ryan Seacrest as co-host.
Seacrest announced live on Thursday’s broadcast that this will be his last season co-hosting Live with Kelly and Ryan with Kell, adding that he had been thinking about it for some time.
Seacrest announced live on Thursday’s broadcast that he would be leaving Live with Kelly and Ryan, saying he had been thinking about the move “for quite some time.”
He said, in a separate Instagram statement, that he would miss his “work wife” and had extended his contract several times because he had been enjoying working with Ripa so much. He wrote, “I originally signed on to host Live for three years in 2017, but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much that I extended my time and decided to stay on for one more final season last year.”
Ripa called Seacrest a gem and one of her best friends on air. “The greatest part of this experience is that you’ve gone from being a friend to a family member,” Ripa said. Ryan admitted he was getting emotional during the moment, but he promised Ripa he wouldn’t cry.
There will still be plenty of opportunities for Seacrest fans to get their fix despite his imminent departure. He will remain on the show until the spring, when he’ll become a guest host, as he shoots the 21st season of American Idol in Los Angeles. As well as hosting ABC’s New Year’s Eve telecast, he will continue to host his own radio show.
Although Seacrest is nearing the end of his tenure, audiences will still have plenty of opportunities to catch up with him. He’ll remain on the show until the spring, when he’ll transition into a guest host while he shoots the 21st season of American Idol in Los Angeles. He will continue to host ABC’s New Year’s Eve telecast as well as his own radio show.
