The Truth About RYAN'S LIVE EXIT

Ryan Seacrest is leaving Kelly Ripa and NYĆ behind after six years of stress and drama!

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The announcement seemingly came out of nowhere. "I've decided to make this my last season as co-host," Ryan Seacrest revealed on the Feb. 16 episode of Live with Kelly and Ryan, calling his decision to leave the NYCbased show "bittersweet." Then he and Kelly Ripa turned it into a lovefest. "You've gone from being a friend to a family member," Kelly said, adding, "I'm so proud of you, and I cheer you on endlessly." Ryan returned the compliment, telling Kelly, "I look up to you. I respect you so much." But behind closed doors, things have hardly been so cordial. "The news that Ryan was leaving Kelly and Live to move back to LA and that Kelly's husband, Mark Consuelos, is taking over for Ryan shocked viewers, but they didn't have the whole story," shares an insider. "Even though Kelly and Ryan put on an amazing show for the cameras, he was over Kelly - some say it got so bad that they hated each other toward the end." A second source confirms that drama has plagued the daytime talk show: "Tension's been brewing."

BATTLE FOR CONTROL