Michael Strahan Leaving 'Live' EARLY – Host To Be Gone By May 13th

While his Good Morning America gig doesn't start full time until September, Michael Strahan plans to leave Live! With Kelly and Michael much sooner than originally planned , RadarOnline.com has learned.

"May 13 is his last show," a source told PEOPLE magazine. "He'll take the summer off and GMA can integrate him early before September, and this will give Live! more time to find the co-host. He's totally fine that. Now he can enjoy his summer."

"He knew he would be wrapping up early, he just didn't know exactly when," added the source of his sudden departure.

As RadarOnline.com extensively reported, co-host Kelly Ripa was furious with show executives when Strahan, 44, announced his plans to leave Live! after four years without informing her first.

"ABC admitted that they handled it wrong and put him in a terrible position," the source shared, adding of his early exit, "The network decided and the show decided that they wanted more time to find the co-host. He's fine either way."

When the time came for Ripa's return on this morning's segment after a week off, Strahan was unsure of what to expect, as sources tell RadarOnline.com show execs were worried she would "go rogue" on live TV.

"He had no idea how she was going to address it," PEOPLE's source shared. "The vibe between them is all business. It remained tense. Nobody knew what was going to happen. Nobody shared with Michael what she was going to do. But he just went there to do his show and be professional."

Now that Strahan is officially out of the show, staffers seems to be on Team Kelly.

"No one is talking to Michael," a show insider told RadarOnline.com this morning about Strahan.

Meanwhile, the crew is busy celebrating 45-year-old show vet Ripa.

"Everyone cheered when Kelly walked in this morning," the source revealed. "They are even throwing her a party after the show today."