Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest have been brightening up our mornings on Live with Kelly and Ryan throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
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The talented presenters have been working together since 2017, and got emotional as they opened up about their friendship away from the camera in a recent interview with ET.
"What you see of Ryan on the air is the person he is backstage, which is a unique thing," Kelly said.
"Working with your friend is a great privilege. It is a joy, and I have to say that it is a rare thing to work with a guy who is so authentic and fun and joyful and humble and generous and kind to everyone."
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The mother-of-three added: "He just brings joyfulness and enthusiasm and professionalism and authenticity to this place that I'm just so grateful to have here."
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Ryan, meanwhile, got emotional as he spoke about the Hope and Faith star. "I'm using every ounce of my energy to fight back tears right now, while she's saying that," he said.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKelly Ripa had nothing but lovely things to say about Ryan Seacrest
"We do a television show, but it's not just a television show. We come in and we literally have our first cup of coffee together and catch up with each other as friends do, and that's the dynamic we hope we have with people who are watching as well."
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Kelly's entire family are close to Ryan. The actress is married to Mark Consuelos, and they share three children, Michael, Lola and Joaquin.
© Photo: Getty ImagesKelly and Ryan have been working together since 2017
In fact, Ryan is even in some of the text exchanges between Kelly and Mark. "I'm on the text messages with she and her husband so I really get to see their exchanges," he revealed.
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"It's a great lesson in life for me from my coach Kelly."
© Photo: InstagramRyan is also close with Kelly's husband Mark Consuelos
Kelly has been presenting Live! since 2001, and has co-hosted the morning show alongside Regis Philbin and Michael Strahan, as well as presenting it solo, before being joined by Ryan three years ago.
Over the years, the show has received a number of accolades, including the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding talk Show Hosts in 2001, 2011, 2012, 2015, and 2016.
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