Joan’s Rightful Heir? Kathy Griffin Handpicked By Melissa Rivers For 'Fashion Police’: It’s What Comedienne ‘Would Have Wanted’

More than two months after Joan Rivers’ shocking death, E! has finally chosen a replacement for her role as host of network staple Fashion Police. And though fans have debated for weeks who would be the rightful heir, RadarOnline.com has learned that reported replacement Kathy Griffin was Joan’s family’s choice!

A source close to the 54-year-old redheaded comedienne tells RadarOnline.com exclusively that Griffin “was personally asked by her daughter Melissa.”

“Melissa told Kathy it is what her mother would have wanted,” the source says, referring to Rivers, who passed away on Sept. 4 from "complications during a routine medical procedure" at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City.

Now, the insider says, “Kathy is very excited.”

As RadarOnline.com previously reported , Griffin told People magazine on Nov. 3, “E! did offer it to me,” she said. “I don’t know if the situation is correct or right at this time for me. We’ll see.”

At the time, a spokesperson for E! denied the claim, saying, “This is absolutely not true.”

However, the source claims to RadarOnline.com that it is, indeed, true and says, “Kathy is going to be fabulous.”

E! and Griffin have not commented on the report, although other online outlets are saying that Griffin will be joined by Melissa, as well as two of the existing co-hosts, Kelly Osbourne, 30, and Giuliana Rancic, 40.