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Michael Strahan is leaving LiveWith Kelly and Michael months ahead of his originally scheduleddeparture in September. It wasannounced on Tuesday, April 26 — following Kelly Ripa's anticipated return — that the co-host would make his finalappearance on the morning show May 13.
"After meeting with the producers of both Liveand Good Morning America, and after speaking with Kelly and Michael, wehave decided on a plan that best advantages both shows for the future,"the show told Us Weekly in a statement.
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They added, "To that end, Michael’s lastday on Live will be on Friday, May 13, which not only gives the show the chanceto have a nice send-off for him during the May book, but to also immediatelybegin the on-air search for a new co-host. This plan also allows GMAto start integrating Michael into the show more often this summer before hisfull-time start in September."
The surprising news came hours after co-host Kelly returned to the ABC program following a dramatic, four-day absence from theshow, which resulted from the April 19th announcement that Michael would be leaving Live for GMA.
The energetic blonde thanked fans on Tuesday for welcoming herback, admitting that the “long national nightmare isover.” “The love, the show of support through this bizarre time has been reallyoverwhelming,” Kelly said. "I needed a couple of days to gather mythoughts. After 26 years with this company I earned the right.”
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She admitted, "In that time I gained someperspective. I always speak from the heart. I didn't want to come out here andsay something I might regret. So what transpired though over the course of afew days has been extraordinary. In the sense that it started a greaterconversation about communication and consideration and, most importantly,respect in workplace.”
Kelly also took the time to praise her co-host onhis new opportunity. "I amthrilled for Michael. I am thrilled for you," she told Michael. "Thisis a tremendous opportunity and I couldn't be and we couldn't be prouder of youand everything we've accomplished together."
After taking her seat, Michael told his fellowhost, “I know this show lives on because you are the queen of morningtelevision.”
While the Live hosts were all smiles in front ofthe cameras, Scandal star BellamyYoung, who was a guest on the show, admitted there was tension behind thescenes. Stopping by Jenny McCarthy's Dirty, Sexy, Funny SiriusXM radio show sheshared, “They were tense, bless their hearts.”
While Kelly and Michael weren’t talking prior to theirhand-in-hand entrance on the show, Bellamy noted, “It was sort of separate.” "Backstage there was some tension because itcould have gone any way but once it got underway it was beautiful," sherevealed. "Kelly gave a monologue, she got to clear the air and then theywent on. They're professional people."
WATCH KELLY'S RETURN BELOW