After co-hosting the show for nearly six years, Ryan Seacrest’s final day on Live With Kelly and Ryan is here.
The TV personality, 48, made the shocking announcement that he was leaving the series back in February, revealing at the time that he had been thinking about resigning ‘for a long time,’ while calling the decision ‘bittersweet.’
His final episode on the show, which were pre-taped on Thursday but aired this morning, was certainly emotional.
As soon as he and his co-host, Kelly Ripa, walked onto the stage, it was clear that they were both holding back tears.
Emotional farewell: After co-hosting the show for nearly six years, Ryan Seacrest’s final day on Live With Kelly and Ryan is here
During final episode on the show, which were pre-taped on Thursday but aired this morning, Ryan and his co-host, Kelly Ripa, struggled to hold back tears
Kelly gushed: ‘Together, we’ve enjoyed the good times and we’ve supported each other through the bad times. I’ve grown accustomed to seeing your face every morning’
‘Kelly just turned the corner and said, “Am I gonna cry?” And I said, “Maybe, because I am,”‘ Ryan began, while wiping his eyes.
‘This is a disaster. We promised ourselves backstage we would not do this,’ Kelly, 52, added, before she began reflecting on some of the amazing moments they have shared together.
‘Kelly just turned the corner and said, “Am I gonna cry?” And I said, “Maybe, because I am,”‘ Ryan told the audience
‘This is a great day of celebration. We have too many great moments on this show,’ she continued, as many of their past endeavors flashed across the screen.
After showcasing some hilarious times that they shared together, Kelly revealed that Ryan’s family was in the audience.
She also shared a touching video tribute recorded by Ryan’s adorable niece Flora, four.
‘These six years have been so fun,’ Kelly continued. ‘And you made everyone fall in love with you.
‘Over the last six years, you’ve given us a lot more than just laughs. You’ve introduced us to young Ryan, you’ve shared your whole family with us.
‘Together, we’ve enjoyed the good times and we’ve supported each other through the bad times. I’ve grown accustomed to seeing your face every morning.’
Reminiscing: ‘This is a disaster. We promised ourselves backstage we would not do this,’ Kelly, 52, added, before she began reflecting on some of the amazing moments they have shared
Ryan explained on Instagram earlier this year that while he was going to ‘miss his work wife and the laughter they share,’ he is ready to focus on his other endeavors
During Friday morning’s show, Kelly reflected on her friendship with Ryan, and she explained that while working on the show together, it felt like she gained a ‘younger brother’ or another ‘son.’ She also praised his ‘immeasurable talents.’
‘This has been the fastest six years of my life,’ she gushed. ‘I’m so grateful that our success together on this show has lead to us developing an even closer, yet co-dependent relationship.
‘You have layers upon layers of goodness, of kindness, of charm, of brilliance, of authenticity, of generosity. Your generosity is unmatched.
‘We will all miss you every day, your daily enthusiasm and your backstage weird, odd vocal warm-ups.’
Ryan explained on Instagram earlier this year that while he was going to ‘miss his work wife and the laughter they share,’ he is ready to focus on his other endeavors – like hosting American Idol, his radio show on KIIS-FM, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.
He also announced that he will be focused on ‘opening three more Ryan Seacrest Foundation Studios in pediatric hospitals across the country’ over the next few weeks.
‘When I signed on to host Live in 2017 it was meant to be for three years, but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much that I extended my time and last year I made the decision to stay on for one more final season,’ he wrote in an emotional tribute.
‘I’ve been grateful to be able to share a cup of coffee with our viewers everyday, one of the best parts of the gig.’
Kelly’s husband, Mark Consuelos, will be taking his spot. Ryan concluded his post by adding that he will be back to guest host any time Kelly or Mark is out.
‘Congratulations to my brother Mark, feel free to remodel my dressing room,’ he joked.
After taping her final show with Ryan yesterday, Kelly warned that it was going to be ‘extraordinarily emotional.’
During a joint interview with her husband Mark, the two discussed Ryan’s departure, with Mark adding that viewers should ‘bring your tissue boxes.’
Kelly also revealed that they cried backstage before the taping began. She said: ‘We were backstage waiting for Déjà [Vu Parker] to make the final announcement, and I looked at [Ryan], and we just locked eyes.
‘And I was like, “Oh my gosh. This sucks.” And then we both started crying, and I was like, “No. No. We are not crying before we get out there. It’s going to be a disaster.”‘
***
Read more at DailyMail.co.uk