Michael Strahan Talks Kelly Ripa After Long-Time Host Sends Email to 'Live!' Staff Regarding Her Return
Following the controversies surrounding Kelly Ripa's week off from "Live! With Kelly and Michael," Michael Strahan has opened up about how his co-host has helped him through the show for the past years.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Strahan dropped by ABC's morning show "Good Morning America" on Thursday and while he did not mention anything about the controversies surrounding his decision to leave the show and the alleged failure to disclose the news to Ripa before the public announcement was made, he did heap praises on his co-host.
"I had a lot of fun on that show over the past four years, and I'm very thankful for her. I learned so much from her. I was so new to all of this. They really boosted me up and made me look a lot better than I really am," he said during his visit on set.
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"Live!" announced Strahan's decision to move to GMA on Tuesday but rumors emerged suggesting that Ripa wasn't informed beforehand and she was shocked to find out that she will have to find a co-host again.
A source recently told Entertainment Tonight that there has been some tension with the show's staff and admin as Ripa has been "miserable" over the past months while working with the hit morning show team.
Another insider revealed that the 45-year-old long-time host felt "betrayed" by the news, considering that she only learned about Strahan's departure minutes before she started hosting the episode.
Meanwhile, it has been confirmed that Ripa will finally return to host the show with Strahan on Tuesday. In an email obtained by The Associated Press sent by Ripa to the show's staff, she confirmed that she will finally begin working again on April 26. "I wanted to thank you all for giving me the time to process this new information. Your kindness, support, and love has overwhelmed me. We are a family and I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday morning," she wrote.
Strahan will leave "Live!" in September and will appear alongside George Stephanopoulos, Robin Roberts, Lara Spencer, and Amy Robach in "Good Morning America."
