After being blindsided with the news of her co-host Michael Strahan leaving “Live With Kelly and Michael,” Kelly Ripa will be absent from the daytime talk show through at least Tuesday of next week, TheWrap has learned.
Strahan formally announced on Wednesday’s “Live! with Kelly and Michael” that he’s leaving the program to move to “Good Morning America” on a full-time basis, but Ripa was not there.
Ripa, who TheWrap previously reported was left in the dark about Strahan’s decision to jump ship, was out today and Ana Gasteyer filled in.
The guest co-hosts for Ripa’s absence through next Tuesday were “Dancing With the Stars” co-host Erin Andrews on Friday and “Pretty Little Liars” star Shay Mitchell on Monday.
A spokesperson for the show said Ripa will be out on previously scheduled vacation days.
Strahan, a former New York Giant NFL player, is seen as a rising star at ABC, and the network hopes to exploit his growing popularity for a more high-profile show that is in the midst of an ongoing ratings battle with NBC’s “Today.” He’s been a “GMA” contributor since 2014.