Ryan Seacrest Sparked Health Concerns Before Announcing ‘Live’ Departure
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Last week, Ryan Seacrest announced that he plans to leave Live with Kelly and Ryan after this season. According to Page Six, the star had sparked health concerns as he tried to juggle the co-hosting job with his other responsibilities.
Ryan Seacrest Sparked Health Concerns on Live
Seacrest originally signed on to co-host with Kelly Ripa for three years, but he ended up staying on the show for six. The star is extremely busy, as he also hosts a radio show and emcees American Idol, as well as leading the New Year’s Rockin’ Eve broadcasts on ABC each year.
Sources told Page Six that Seacrest has often seemed to be exhausted, which worried his friends and co-workers. According to one source, this exhaustion caused Seacrest to miss more and more Live shows over the past six months.
“Some of Ryan’s absences created tension with everyone involved on the show,” the source reportedly said. “But everyone cares about him and respects him and just wants to make sure he’s OK.”
A source also told Page Six that Seacrest’s schedule is “punishing,” and that traveling between Los Angeles and New York (as well as to various cities for Idol auditions) was “exhausting” for him, and he “needs a break.”
SEE ALSO: RYAN SEACREST HELPS ‘AMERICAN IDOL’ FANS WITH GENDER REVEAL DURING FILMING
Seacrest Worried American Idol Fans in 2020
In 2020, fans of American Idol became concerned for Seacrest’s health after an unusual moment during the show’s finale. While he was hosting remotely due to the Covid-19 pandemic, viewers noticed that one of his eyes appeared to partially close, and he seemed to have trouble speaking.
Some viewers thought Seacrest might have had a stroke. The host’s rep ended up releasing a statement, explaining that Seacrest was “adjusting to the new normal and finding work-home balance, with the added stress of having to put on live shows from home.”
Seacrest missed Live with Kelly and Ryan the day after hosting the Idol finale, and he later thanked everyone for “the very kind well-wishes for my exhaustion, working around the clock.”
Kelly Ripa’s husband Mark Consuelos will be taking Seacrest’s place at the hosting desk after he leaves the show later this year. The show will be rebranded to Live with Kelly and Mark.
