Michael Strahan will be leaving Kelly Ripa and Disney’s Live with Kelly and Michael on May 13, much sooner than originally planned.
As reported previously, the former football player turned television personality was supposed to leave in September to become co-anchor of Good Morning America.
READ MORE: Michael Strahan is leaving ‘Live with Kelly and Michael’
“After meeting with producers of both Live and Good Morning America, and after speaking with both Kelly and Michael, we have decided on a plan that best advantages both shows for the future,” Disney ABC spokesman Kevin Brockman said in a statement.
“To that end, Michael’s last day on Live will be Friday, May 13, which not only gives the show a chance to have a nice sendoff during the May (sweeps), but to also immediately begin the on-air search for a new co-host.”
Brockman also said, “This plan also allows GMA to start integrating Michael into the show more often this summer, before his full-time start in September.”
READ MORE: Kelly Ripa suddenly absent from ‘Live with Kelly and Michael’
The on-air auditions process to find Strahan’s replacement will begin May 16.
Kelly Ripa was greeted by a standing ovation by the Live audience when she returned on Tuesday. She had been noticeably absent from her daytime talk show after her co-host’s announcement.
Ripa received a personal apology from top executives at Disney and ABC, who said they “expressed regret for the way Kelly was told the news.”
READ MORE: Kelly Ripa returns to ‘Live’, speaks her mind about Michael Strahan departure
Her contract with Disney/ABC will end next year. She has been a co-host of the show since 2001 when she shared the screen with Regis Philbin.
There will be guest co-hosts joining her on Live until a permanent replacement for Strahan is found.
Since the announcement, fans have been emotionally discussing Strahan’s early exit on social media.