Ryan Seacrest has emotional farewell on final Live With Kelly And Ryan show after shock resignation

After co-hosting the show for nearly six years, Ryan Seacrest’s last day on Live With Kelly and Ryan is here.

The TV personality, 48, made the shock announcement that he would be leaving the series in February, revealing at the time that he had been thinking about stepping down ‘for a long time’, calling the decision ‘bittersweet.’

His final episode of the show, which was pre-taped Thursday but aired this morning, was certainly emotional.

As soon as he and his co-host, Kelly Ripa, walked on stage, it was clear that they were both holding back tears.

Kelly just turned the corner and said, “Am I going to cry?” And I said, “Maybe because I am,” Ryan began, wiping his eyes.

‘This is a disaster. We promised ourselves backstage that we wouldn’t do this,” added 52-year-old Kelly, before reflecting on some of the great moments they’ve shared together.

‘This is a great holiday. We have too many great moments on this show,” she continued, as many of their previous efforts flashed across the screen.

“These six years have been so much fun. And you made everyone fall in love with you.

“Over the past six years, you’ve given us much more than just laughter. You introduced us to young Ryan, you shared your entire family with us.

Together we enjoyed the good times and supported each other in the bad times. I’ve gotten used to seeing your face every morning.’

On Friday morning’s show, Kelly reflected on her friendship with Ryan, explaining that while working on the show together, it felt like she was getting a “younger brother” or another “son.” She also praised his ‘immeasurable talents’.

‘This has been the fastest six years of my life,” she gushed. “I am so grateful that our success together on this show has led us to develop an even closer, yet co-dependent relationship.

“You have layers upon layers of goodness, kindness, charm, brilliance, authenticity, generosity. Your generosity is unparalleled.

“We will all miss you every day, your daily enthusiasm and your backstage weird, strange vocal warm-ups.”

Kelly added that the show “reserves the right” to “troll him on all social media platforms.”

“But seriously, from the bottom of our hearts we just want to thank you for being amazing. Because it’s an original, authentic addition to this show,” she added.

“You are our family, we will never say goodbye to you. We’ll just say, “Goodbye.” I love you.’

An emotional Ryan responded by saying he was a “very lucky man.”

“It hasn’t escaped my mind how lucky I am to have had this seat next to you Kelly for six years,” he said.

“You are incomparable, Kelly. There is no one like you. I’m lucky to have a job where I can talk and laugh and screw things up. Lucky to connect with viewers all over America and also in Canada.

“I’ve spent my entire career talking — talking on the radio, on television — words are bread and butter, my wheelhouse.

“But today it’s hard to put into words how deeply I appreciated being here and being with you, being invited into your home every day to try and bring a smile, a laugh or two.

“I am honored to be part of this family. I am blessed with so many memories. I will cherish, enjoy and relive those memories forever.”

Ryan concluded by calling Kelly his “mentor” and thanking her for her “leadership, love, and wisdom” — and for making him “feel like a family member.’

Ryan explained on Instagram earlier this year that while he would miss “his work wife and the laughter they share,” he’s ready to focus on his other endeavors — like hosting American Idol, his radio show on KIIS-FM, and Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

He also announced that he will focus on “opening three more Ryan Seacrest Foundation Studios in children’s hospitals across the country” in the coming weeks.

“When I signed up to host Live in 2017 it was supposed to be for three years but I loved the job and working with Kelly so much I extended my time and last year I made the decision to to stay on for one last season.” ,” he wrote in an emotional tribute.

“I’m grateful to be able to share a cup of coffee with our viewers every day, one of the best parts of the performance.”

Kelly’s husband, Mark Consuelos, will take his place. Ryan concluded his post by adding that he’ll always be back as a guest host when Kelly or Mark is away.

“Congratulations to my brother Mark, feel free to remodel my dressing room,” he joked in his Instagram post.

After taping her last show with Ryan yesterday, Kelly warned it was going to be “extremely emotional.”

During a joint interview with her husband Mark, the two discussed Ryan’s departure, with Mark adding that viewers should “bring your tissue boxes.”

Kelly also revealed that they cried backstage before shooting started. She said, “We were backstage waiting for Déjà [Vu Parker] to make the final announcement, and I watched [Ryan]and we just looked at each other.

“And I was like, ‘Oh my god. This sucks.’ And then we both started crying, and I thought, “No. No. We’re not crying before we go out. It’s going to be a disaster.”