Michael Strahan Leaving ‘Live!’ Next Month Due To Fall-Out With Kelly Ripa [Report]


Michael Strahan is leaving Live! With Kelly And Michael much earlier than originally reported. Just one week after a major fall-out with Kelly Ripa, it has been announced that Michael Strahan will be heading over to Good Morning America sooner than expected.

According to E! News, Michael Strahan will be leaving Live! early next month. He will be appearing on GMA more over the summer before taking on his full-time spot in September as anticipated.

“After meeting with the producers of both Live and Good Morning America, and after speaking with Kelly and Michael, we have decided on a plan that best advantages both shows for the future. To that end, Michael’s last day on Live will be on Friday, May 13, which not only gives the show the chance to have a nice send-off for him during the May book, but to also immediately begin the on-air search for a new co-host. This plan also allows GMA to start integrating Michael into the show more often this summer before his full-time start in September,” a show spokesperson tells E! News.

Michael Strahan GMA
Michael Strahan and Kelly Ripa [Photo by Frazer Harrison/Getty Images]

Michael Strahan and Kelly Ripa’s relationship has been strained over the past week as Strahan did not inform Ripa of his plans to leave the show. Strahan reportedly had his hands tied and was unable to speak of the negotiations until everything was set in stone. This left Ripa in the dark, causing a rift between the two.

Ripa took a few days off of work before returning to the show this morning. She and Michael Strahan put on a united front (it is unclear if this was genuine or not) for this morning’s episode. The two walked on to set holding hands and both addressed the elephant in the room.

“What transpired, though, over the course of a few days has been extraordinary in the sense that it started a much greater conversation about communication and consideration and, most importantly, respect in the workplace. Since we’re being honest, I don’t consider this just a workplace. This is my second home. This is a place that I’ve devoted myself to, not just because of you, our loyal viewers, but because of all of the producers and the crew who work on this show. We have an incredible team. We are incredibly devoted to one another. We are family,” Ripa said as part of her opening dialogue.

Michael Strahan has been very gracious throughout all of this, and he hasn’t bad-mouthed his partner in daytime crime at all. Strahan has spoken so highly of Kelly and has truly been a class act despite the negativity surrounding his decision to leave.

Michael Strahan Live
Michael Strahan [Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for IWC]

Michael Strahan’s replacement has not yet been found, but network execs are keeping their eyes peeled for someone who can match Kelly’s charisma and have great on-air chemistry with her. As previously reported by the Inquisitr, Andy Cohen and Anderson Cooper’s names have been thrown around, but no contracts have been signed just yet. It is entirely possible that Kelly will carry the show on her own for a while, bringing Live! With Kelly back for a few months after Michael Strahan leaves.

Will you miss Michael Strahan on Live!? Do you think Michael Strahan is making a mistake by leaving Kelly and moving to Good Morning America full time?

[Photo by Ilya S. Savenok/Getty Images]

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