The Report: Who Will Replace Regis?

Regis PHilbin’s Announcement Jan. 18 that he will step down as co-host of ABC’s Live! With Regis and Kelly at the end of summer shocked his colleagues and left insiders wondering who will fill the swivel seat Philbin has occupied for 28 years. While it was no secret that Philbin, 79, has been slowing down (he had triple-bypass surgery in 2007), the news came “like a bolt out of the blue,” an ABC insider says. Philbin didn’t tell the network or co-host Kelly Ripa about his decision until minutes before the show, sources confirm.