Kelly Ripa and Ryan Seacrest came together to host one final episode of Live! With Kelly and Ryan before the American Idol host leaves his well-loved role – and his hosting partner of six years had a tearful thing or two to say to him as they opened the show.
From the very moment when the two hosts entered the studio arm in arm it was clear Kelly was getting emotional thinking about their final show together.
"Look at this!" she said privately to her co-host as they waved to the audience and went to sit in their seats, clearly moved and excited about the standing ovation he was receiving on this special day.
Ever the gentleman, the 48-year-old pulled out Kelly's chair for her to sit down and as he went around to take his place next to her for the final time, the New Jersey-born host began wiping away some tears.
"What a disaster," she then whispered over to Ryan as he sat down, clearly annoyed that she had not managed to stay as composed as she had hoped.
READ: Ryan Seacrest's real reason for leaving Live with Kelly and Ryan revealed
As the camera panned around the studio, Kelly laughed at her emotional disposition, before bowing her head in an attempt to collect herself as the show began.
But it was Ryan who took the lead, welcoming everyone watching at home and in the studio by addressing the moment: "It is Friday, April 14th, and as Kelly turned the corner she said 'Oh my gosh, am I going to cry?' and I said 'Maybe? 'Cause I am!"
© Getty ImagesKelly, still wiping tears away, responded: "No 'cause we promised ourselves backstage that we would not do this, because it is a great day of celebration around here."
"I can't believe it's here," Ryan admitted, evidently emotional himself if not wiping tears away just yet.
Kelly then turned attention to members of Ryan's family, who were at the studio to join him as he said farewell to the hosting role he has shared with Kelly since 2017.
Ryan is the third host to present alongside Kelly so far in the history of Live!. She joined the show in 2001 when it was still hosted by one of Live!'s original faces, Regis Philbin, and then continued on after his departure in 2011.
© Getty ImagesBetween the years 2012 and 2016, Michael Strahan took over the role of co-host with Kelly, but this partnership came to an end when he left the show to work at GMA.
While Michael's departure was a shock which led to quite some hurt for Kelly, Ryan's has been far more smooth in comparison.
Kelly will be joined by her real-life husband Mark Consuelos on Monday when he takes over from Ryan as the new host of the renamed Live! With Kelly and Mark.
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