Kelly Ripa Won’t Be Back To ‘Live!’ Until Next Week, ABC Confirms After Michael Strahan Makes Leaving Announcement

The rumors about Kelly Ripa being upset about Michael Strahan leaving their morning show, “Live! With Kelly and Michael,” might have some truth to them. The daytime host will not return to the show until next Tuesday at the earliest, Variety Editor Debra Birnbaum said on Twitter Wednesday.

ABC has not issued a comment. Ripa has not publicly spoken out about the matter either. The only one who has said anything is Strahan and he had glowing things to say about his co-host. “Kelly has been an unbelievable partner, and I am so thankful to her and the entire team. I am extremely grateful for the amazing support I’ve received from all of the fans,” he said Wednesday. “My time with Live! With Kelly and Michael has been transformative, and my departure will be bittersweet,” he said.

“Dancing With the Stars” host Erin Andrews will fill Ripa’s shoes while she’s out Thursday. “On tomorrow’s ‘LIVE with Kelly and Michael,’ Erin Andrews will guest co-host with Michael Strahan. Friday’s show — which already was scheduled to pre-tape on Thursday — also will be co-hosted by Andrews. Kelly Ripa will be out on Friday and Monday for a previously-scheduled vacation. On Monday’s show, Michael will be joined by ‘Pretty Little Liars’ star Shay Mitchell,” a spokesman for ABC told CNN Money.

Strahan’s departure was not handled in the best way. “It’s a mess,” an insider told the publication. "She is beyond angry. Beyond,” the source about Ripa.

But she’s not the only one. Strahan, 44, is hurt by his co-star’s reaction. “The very public way she’s handling this. You can’t not show up for work. If you’re going to have a meltdown you don’t do it publicly,” an insider told People magazine.

“Live! With Kelly and Michael” airs weekday mornings, syndicated on various channels nationwide.

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