Kelly Ripa Has Finally Announced Her New Cohost, and It's a Pretty Surprising Choice

From Redbook

It’s been a year since Live With Kelly and Michael simply became Live With Kelly – and now it looks like Kelly Ripa has finally picked a person to permanently join her desk. Ripa announced on Monday’s show that none other than Ryan Seacrest will join her.

Seacrest, the former host of American Idol, is one of the hardest-working stars in show business. He’s a constant presence on E! News and every red carpet event out there, has a nationally syndicated radio show, and hosts Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve every year. According to CNN, which first reported the news, Seacrest will keep all those jobs, but move to New York for the Live job. ABC will build a new radio studio in the same building as the show to accommodate his needs.

The casting news comes after previous cohost Michael Strahan left the show to join Good Morning America. His departure was a dramatic one, because Ripa was reportedly completely left in the dark about it. Ripa took the opportunity to speak out about respect in the workplace.

Ever since then, Ripa has worked with a revolving door of cohosts, including Fred Savage, Andy Cohen, Jerry O’Connell, and Anderson Cooper. Seacrest himself has cohosted the show five times during the past year. “I’ve known Kelly forever,” Seacrest said at the time. She’s phenomenal, so to get a chance to sit by her for a day is a blessing.” But he told Entertainment Tonight last year that he doubted he could fit the new gig in his schedule. “I think that would be impossible since I have to work here every day,” he said about his radio show. “That decision isn’t mine to make. I think I have to get up here every day and go on the air!”

Seacrest tweeted his gratitude for the new job:

Watch the full reveal below:

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