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Kelly Ripa Gives Heartfelt & Teary Goodbye To Regis Philbin

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Nov. 18 2011, Published 9:00 a.m. ET

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By RadarOnline.com Staff

An era ended Friday, as iconic talk show host Regis Philbin made his final appearance after 28 years on his long-running ABC morning show, where he was serenaded with a heartwarming speech from co-host Kelly Ripa.

Kelly said that the 43 steps she took with Regis from the dressing room to the studio floor daily made for a life-changing journey and you can see her entire speech on RadarOnline.com.

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"As I was reflecting, and we were taking our final 43 steps together, I thought back to our first 43 steps and I was absolutely terrified -- absolutely filled with fear -- and you grabbed my hand and we walked down the hallway, came out the door...and you did something for me,” Kelly said.

“I've never told you this -- but you said, 'You see that sweetie: That's all for you, all these people are here for you!’"

Kelly continued, "You always want to make me feel like a million bucks, always.

"What I wanted to say was your light shined around all of us and made us look so bright for so long," she told the 80-year-old show biz vet.

Regis said he wanted his show to be one "where people would feel better about themselves, to look at life in a different way, a funnier way."

Regis’ former co-host Kathie Lee Gifford was in attendance for the broadcast, as were stars such as Katie Couric, Donald Trump, Alan Alda, Meredith Vieira and Tony Danza.

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He announced he'd be leaving earlier this year, telling viewers "this will be my last year on the show.

"It's been a long time,” he said on his January 18 broadcast. “It's been 28 years and it was the biggest thrill of my life to come back to New York, where I grew up as a kid watching TV in the early days, you know, never even dreaming that I would one day have the ability, or whatever it takes, to get in front of the camera and talk to it.

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"There is a time that everything must come to an end for certain people on camera -- especially certain old people!" he said.

As RadarOnline.com previously reported, Regis said “contractual issues” was one of the reasons behind his departure.

VIDEO: Howard Stern Slams Jay Leno: 'He's Insane And A Crook'

“The contractual issue just never worked out, but I was going to leave before that anyway,”  he told The Mojo in the Morning radio show.

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“That's a loss on their part because I've got to admit, it looks to me like they're kind of forcing you out and I think it's a mistake,” the radio host Spike responded. “The audience still loves you. You’re obviously still ready to work so I don't know why they wouldn't want you.”

“Of course it's a big mistake, but Regis is moving on,” Regis said.

Fun fact: In 2004, Philbin appeared on his 15,188th hour on national TV, overtaking the title of the most-filmed television personality from newsman Hugh Downs; as of Friday, his record was well over 17,000 hours.

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