Regis Philbin: Kelly Ripa 'Very Offended' Over My 'Live!' Departure
Six years after Regis Philbin's departure from Live!, the 85-year-old revealed that he's still on thin ice when it comes to former co-host Kelly Ripa.
In an interview with Larry King Now on Wednesday, the longtime TV personality opened up about his ongoing feud with the 46-year-old, sharing that they haven't spoken for years.
"She got very offended when I left," he told Larry King. "She thought I was leaving because of her. I was leaving because I was getting older and it wasn't right for me anymore."
Later, Philbin noted that things are still rocky between the pair.
"She took it personal?" King asked.
"Yeah, I think so," Philbin replied.
Despite hosting the show for nearly three decades, Philbin has never been asked to return for a guest appearance.
But when asked if he'd return to TV, the former Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? host seemed apprehensive: "I don't know. How often would it be? Would it be every night? Every day? I do miss it, there are times when I really miss it and wish I'd never stopped. But, you know, I just figured it was time to let go."
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Meanwhile, as RadarOnline.com previously reported, Ripa claimed she was completely blindsided by show executives when Philbin replacement Michael Strahan announced his plans to leave the show for GMA last summer without informing her first.
Though she's been hosting Live! solo for some time, sources say ex-TODAY show host Tamron Hall could come on the scene as her new co-host.
UPDATE:
Dave Davis, President and General Manager, WABC (which produces LIVE! With Kelly) tells Rdar, "It was wonderful to have Regis on the show for our 2015 Halloween special. He’s also been invited back several times as a guest, and in fact was confirmed for a date, but was not able to make it at the time."
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