Kelly Ripa Shares Emotional Goodbye on Ryan Seacrest’s Last Day Hosting ‘Live’: “You Are Our Family”

By Radhamely De Leon

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Today marked Ryan Seacrest‘s last day hosting Live with Kelly and Ryan after six long years at Kelly Ripa‘s side. The farewell episode took an emotional turn as the co-hosts took turns thanking each other for their successful run together.

“This is a disaster. We promised ourselves backstage we would not do this,” Ripa said as Seacrest wiped tears from his eyes.

“This is a great day of celebration. We have too many great moments on this show,” she gushed. “These six years have been so fun. 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.”

Seacrest first joined Ripa in 2017, after he took over for former co-host Michael Strahan,who had moved onto Good Morning America. Ripa’s husband, Mark Consuelos, will be taking over as her co-host starting Monday, April 17.

“This has been the fastest six years of my life,” she later said. “I’m so grateful that our success together on this show has lead to us developing an even closer, yet co-dependent relationship.”

Seacrest said he was a “very lucky man” to have hosted the show at Ripa’s side for so long. “You’re incomparable, Kelly. There’s no one like you,” he said.

“I’ve spent my entire career talking – talking on the radio, on television – words are bread and butter, my wheelhouse,” Seacrest continued. “But today, it’s hard to put into words how deeply I have appreciated being here and being with you, being invited into your homes every day to try and deliver a smile, a laugh or two.”

Consuelos joined the pair on stage later on with a farewell cake.

Seacrest’s family and his girlfriend, Aubrey, were also present in the audience to celebrate his final episode on the show. Ripa made sure to poke fun at the couple, hinting at their potential engagement. “We will all keep our same mailing addresses in case there is ever a wedding invitation,” she said. “Just in case.”

Ripa said earlier this month that she expects the show’s transition to be “seamless.”

“Nothing will really change, just the different name on the mug,” she said.  

Live with Kelly and Ryan airs weekdays at 9/8c on ABC.