While Kelly Ripa has finally been given a scheduled date to return to Live! With Kelly & Michael Tuesday, we now know how Michael Strahan feels about it after the two made headlines last week.

Ripa went on an early vacation from the show after Strahan’s announcement that he was leaving to co-host Good Morning America last week. It reportedly left Ripa “blindsided.” Thankfully, Strahan is ready for his co-host to return after others such as Erin Andrews filled in for her.

“[Strahan] is looking forward to having Kelly Ripa back on ‘Live!’” one insider told People magazine Saturday. “He never wanted any of this to happen. He got why she was mad but it was out of his control. He spent the last few days reaching out because he wanted her to come back.”

Rumor has it that the network bumped Strahan over to Good Morning America in efforts to help with the show’s declining ratings.

The insider went on to say, “He was prepared to go on by himself if he had to, but he is relieved that it all worked out.”

Ripa also broke her silence with the Live! staff Friday. She sent an email obtained by People and wrote, “I wanted to thank you all for giving me time to process this new information. Your kindness, support and love has overwhelmed me. We are a family and I look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday morning.”

Pretty Little Liars star Shay Mitchell is slated to fill in Monday.

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