Kelly Ripa and Mark Consuelos are officially partners on-air! The couple made their official debut asco-hosts on on Monday morning, immediately following Ryan Seacrest's departure from the daytime talk show after six seasons on Friday.Consuelos has co-hosted alongside his wife countless times over the years, but this new move makes his spot permanent. «Joining me today, and permanently, until one of us dies is Mark Consuelos!» Ripa joked at the start of the broadcast.«Wow, that was a nice reception,» Mark said, acknowledging the audience's standing ovation.
Turning attention to his wife, he added, «I just want to say thank you for trusting me to be your co-pilot.»In his debut episode, the duo welcomed TLC singer Rozonda «Chilli» Thomas, and author and psychic Char Margolis as their guests.
In a sweet flashback moment, producers pulled a clip from November 2000 in which Margolis had predicted that Ripa would be welcoming a new baby, prompting the co-host to reveal on-air that she was expecting.
In a full-circle moment, the couple's daughter, Lola, now 21, was in the audience on Monday. Consuelos told ET in March that he was «really excited» about taking a seat next to his longtime love.«It's an honor.
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