Michael Strahan
Michael Strahan has emerged the front runner to take the permanent spot alongside Kelly Ripa as co-host of "Live with Kelly!" REUTERS

"Live! with Kelly" has been searching for a new co-host for months. Throughout numerous celebrity guest-hosts sitting alongside Kelly Ripa and several rumors, ABC staffers are claiming that the man to take over Regis Philbin's chair permanently is none other than former football star Michael Strahan.

According to TMZ, several staffers are reporting on the talk of the building...that Strahan, a Super Bowl ring owner, will be the big name announced on Sept. 4.

Strahan's name coming out of the mix doesn't come as much of a surprise. Entertainment Weekly previously reported that the position had been narrowed down to three people - "SNL's" Seth Meyers, singer Josh Groban and former football star Michael Strahan.

Michael Strahan has worked alongside Kelly Ripa on air numerous times. First appearing for a guest-host stint from Feb. 7-8, Strahan returned to guest co-host on March 14-16, March 22, May 7-9, June 22, June 27-29, July 2-3 and August 17.

The pair have great on-screen chemistry, making each other laugh as the audiences roars with excitement. The only real obvious difference between the pair on screen comes down to one odd thing...height. Strahan comes in at a whopping 6'5," while Ripa is a tiny 5'3."

A new season of "Live! With Kelly" won't begin airing until Sept. 3, but don't expect any more guest-hosts until the co-host announcement. For the first time ever, Kelly Ripa will be hosting the show alone. Ripe will make the official announcement of her new partner when they join her on stage on the morning of Sept. 4.

Regis Philbin, creator and original host of the show, left at age 80 this past November. Philbin had co-hosted the show for over 28 years, even having to go on a co-host hunt himself. Initially being paired with Kathie Lee Gifford for "Live! With Regis and Kathie Lee," the show temporarily changed to "Live! with Regis" when she left in 2000. Similar to the current situation, Philbin had numerous guest co-hosts until Kelly Ripa was chosen as the permanent co-host in 2001, changing the show name to "Live! With Regis and Kelly."

"Live! With Kelly" returns on Sept. 3, with the co-host announcement coming on Sept. 4.

What do you think of Michael Strahan landing the role?

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