Photo: Maury Phillips/Getty
Kelly Ripais ready for an exciting new era in her relationship with husbandMark Conseuloswhen he becomes her co-host followingRyan Seacrest’sdeparturefromLive with Kelly and Ryan.
After Seacrest’s announcement on Thursday, Ripa, 52, joked on Instagram the pair will enter"the contractual obligation phase of our relationship"when Consuelos takes over on the rebrandedLive with Kelly and Mark.
The television personality also congratulated Seacrest, 48, on “surviving six winters in NYC,” adding, “I’m proud of you and am forever in your corner.”
“OK NOW we’re empty nesters. When your friends become work mates become family. ♥️,“she added.
“LOVE THIS!❤️”
In his own Instagram post, theRiverdaleactor teased his “ride or die” Ripa about teaming up on the long-running ABC talk show.
“This is going to be amazing!I can’t believe after all these years of listening to you talk for free, I found a way to get paid for it,” he joked alongside a photo of the trio. “Is this a great country or what? ❤️”
Kelly Ripa/Instagram
Consuelos also sent his well wishes to Seacrest onhis “next chapter.”
“I love you like a brother,” he shared. “I know I have some big shoes to fill … well actually they’re only a size 9, but you know what I mean.”
In a statement, the show’s executive producer Michael Gelman expressed his excitement at welcoming Consuelous to theLivefamily. “As a fan-favorite guest host for years, Mark is no stranger to theLivefamily,” Gelman said in a statement. “Having him join the show is so special for us and we’re sure that viewers will feel the same.”
For Seacrestdeparting the show after six yearswas bittersweet. “It was a tough, tough decision,” he said during Thursday’s broadcast. “Last year, we spoke and I made the decision to make this my last season as co-host with Kel, here, onLive with Kelly and Ryan, which is bittersweet.”
Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images; Steve Granitz/FilmMagic
Seacrest also shared a heartfelt message for Ripa: “I have to say to you as a dear friend coming in and as a best friend in this moment, to have your kindness, your thoughtfulness, your levity, your friendship — I look up to you, I respect you so much.”
“I love the fact that we get the chance to sit here every day and connect with you at home in your kitchens, your living rooms, at work,” he added. “There’s nothing like this on television.”
In a statement Thursday, Seacrest said that “working alongside Kelly over the past six years has been a dream job and one of the highlights of my career.” Though he will miss working closely with his “amazing partner, friend, and confidant” on a daily basis, he is excited for Consuelos to take the reins.
“It’s been a memorable ride and now I’m excited to pass the baton to Kelly’s ‘real’ husband, Mark,” he added.
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Live with Kelly and Ryanairs weekdays (check local listings).
source: people.com
