News of Ryan Seacrest’s departure from the popular show Live With Kelly last year came as a shock to all. Fans weren’t ready to bid adieu to the beloved host and are now wondering why he decided to make his exit. Seacrest has been a television darling for almost three decades, hosting some of the biggest shows, including American Idol, On Air with Ryan Seacrest, and more. So, why did Ryan Seacrest decide to leave Live With Kelly?
Without further adieu, here is everything we know about Seacrest’s exit from Live with Kelly and if he will return in the future.
When did Ryan Seacrest leave Live with Kelly?
Ryan Seacrest was officially replaced on Live with Kelly by Mark Consuelos on April 17, 2023.
Mark Consuelos stepped in to co-host the show with his wife Kelly Ripa after Seacrest stepped down. In his exit speech, Seacrest fondly looked back at his time at the show and shared what the future holds for him.
Why Ryan Seacrest left the Live with Kelly talk show
Ryan Seacrest revealed that he would be focusing on his other television commitments, including hosting American Idol.
In his exit speech on the show after announcing his decision, Seacrest shared, “Once American Idol starts live from Los Angeles later this spring, I’ll head out to the West Coast and host that show.” Soon after his departure, he also took to Instagram to explain that he was going to host American Idol Season 21 in Los Angeles and focus on his radio show in New York.
“I’ll be transitioning out of Live this Spring to shoot the 21st season of American Idol in LA, continue my radio show on KIIS-FM and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin Eve, and focus my summer on opening three more Ryan Seacrest Foundation Studios in pediatric hospitals across the country,” the TV host stated.
Could Ryan Seacrest return to Live with Kelly?
On a more hopeful note, Ryan Seacrest assured the fans that he is not leaving Live With Kelly for good.
In the aforementioned Instagram post, he shared that he is more than open to the prospect of returning as a guest host in the future. Seacrest jokingly said, “I’m looking forward to coming back to guest host in the future and Kelly, I promise to forever share my food photos, chicken eggs, and olive oil with you. And congratulations to my brother Mark, feel free to remodel my dressing room!”
Although the farewell from Live with Kelly was bittersweet for Ryan Seacrest, there is still hope that fans will once again see the beloved host by Kelly’s side in the future.
