Michael Strahan Named Kelly Ripa's Co-Host on 'Live'

It's official: Live! With Kelly is now Live! With Kelly and Michael.

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As expected, Michael Strahan was introduced as Kelly Ripa's new Live! co-host and Regis Philbin replacement on Tuesday, ending weeks of speculation.

THR previously reported that Strahan, the former New York Giants star defensive end who now serves as a football analyst on Fox NFL Sunday, had landed the coveted gig. 

Since Philbin's exit last November, Live! has had numerous guest co-hosts, starting with Jerry Seinfeld. Others included Neil Patrick Harris, Jim Parsons, Alec Baldwin, Kim Kardashian, Mary J. Blige and Ripa's husband, Mark Consuelos.

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"As a guest co-host, Michael’s chemistry with Kelly was off the charts, and continued to grow each time he visited the show," said Michael Gelman, Live! executive producer, in a statement. "The interaction between the co-hosts always has been what makes this show different from any other on television. Kelly and Michael’s ability to play off of one another and just plain have a good time together creates great TV for the audience."

Strahan, 40, made 20 appearances as a guest co-host on the daytime program over the past two years. His previous TV experience includes a role as a regular on the short-lived 2009 Fox sitcom Brothers, and hosting stints on such series as DIY Network's Backyard Stadiums.

He'll continue to be a host of the Los Angeles-based Fox NFL Sunday.