Ryan Seacrest Says He Extended ‘Live With Kelly and Ryan’ Contract 3 Years, Spoke to Mark Consuelos About Replacing Him

usmagazine.com:

Dropping details! Ryan Seacrest shed light on his decision to leave Live With Kelly and Ryan on Thursday, February 16.“Kelly [Ripa] and I have some news here.

This is something that she and I have been talking about for a long time and it was a tough, tough decision. Last year, we spoke and I made the decision to make this my last season as cohost with Kelly here on Live ​With Kelly and Ryan, which is bittersweet,” the 48-year-old TV personality said with Ripa, 52, by his side.The former soap star noted that Seacrest was “a gem” and one of her “best friends.”“The greatest part of this entire experience has been that you’ve gone from being a friend to a family member,” she gushed. “You are family to us.”Seacrest, who joined Live in 2017, called it “remarkable” to be on the morning show for several years, revealing that he initially only signed a contract for three seasons.“Once American Idol starts from Los Angeles live later in the spring, I’ll head out to the West Coast and host that show — the 21st season of American Idol — from Los Angeles,” he explained, noting that he’ll guest host Live whenever asked. “As a dear friend coming in, but as a best friend in this moment, to have your kindness, your thoughtfulness, your levity, your friendship, I look up to you.

I respect you so much. I love the fact that we get a chance to sit here every day and connect with you at home, in your kitchens, in your living rooms at work.

There’s nothing like this on television.”Seacrest noted he was “getting emotional” but “promised” Ripa he wouldn’t cry.“He said he was supposed to be here for three years,” the Live Wire author said. “We were just like, ‘Oh, don’t be ridiculous.