Today Regis Philbin announced on his daytime talk show Live! with Regis and Kelly that he will be stepping away from the show later this year. “I don’t want to alarm anybody … but this will be my last year on the show,” he said. “There is a time that everything must come to an end for certain people on camera, especially certain old people … It’s been a long time — 28 years since I’ve been here — and it was the biggest thrill of my life.” Regis started his daytime run in 1983 back when Live! was called The Morning Show. Cindy Garvey was his co-host until 1985 when Kathie Lee Gifford stepped into the position. Three years later ABC syndicated Live with Regis & Kathie Lee. Then soap opera actress Kelly Ripa replaced Gifford in 2001. One heart bypass and hip replacement later, a lively and spirited Regis made the big decision. Luckily he assures us that he’s “not retiring. I am just moving on.” At age 78, there’s nothing stopping Regis from participating in bigger and better things…I mean c’mon!
The network confirms that Live! will remain on the air after Regis leaves. So the question remains, who will fill his role? My guess: Ripa’s husband Mark Consuelos, who has co-hosted before.