Kelly Ripa has another supporter amid the drama surrounding “LIVE! With Kelly and Michael”—Regis Philbin.
Ripa’s former co-host offered support when TMZ caught up with the 84-year-old media personality in New York City on April 21.
“They should’ve told her in the beginning,” said Philbin. When asked, if Ripa was “backdoored,” Philbin stated, “To a degree, I mean, I can’t tell because I’m not there.”
This comes days after media mogul, Oprah Winfrey expressed support for Kelly Ripa.
“Nobody should ever be blindsided,” said Winfrey to Entertainment Tonight. “I don’t know who’s in charge, but somebody should’ve said, ‘This is gonna happen.’ You shouldn’t have to read it in the paper. Ever.”
Things have gotten stormy on the ABC show ever since Michael Strahan announced his impending departure—a revelation that blindsided 45-year-old Ripa.
Strahan is scheduled to begin his new position at “Good Morning America” in September but thus far has appeared on “LIVE!”—sans Ripa—since his April 19 announcement.
