Michael Strahan is Kelly Ripa's Co-Host; Former NFL Champion Fills Regis Philbin's Seat: Report

ABC confirmed on Aug. 20 that Kelly Ripa will officially announce her new co-host on "Live with Kelly" on Sept. 4. According to several reports, former NFL player Michael Strahan will permanently sit in Regis Philbin's old seat.

TMZ  reported that several staffers at ABC in New York City revealed that Strahan will be announced as the co-host. An agent for the former New York Giant's defensive end was seen smiling outside of the network's headquarters.

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An anonymous source close to the situation told The Associated Press that Strahan, 40, is currently in negotiations with the network. ABC has yet to comment and confirm the reports.  

Regis Philbin left the show in November 2011 and since then Ripa has had 59 guest co-hosts. Strahan has been one of many guests who repeated the guest co-host gig. Other celebrities who have re-appeared alongside Ripa and rumored for the permanent job was her friend Anderson Cooper, Seth Meyer, Neil Patrick Harris, Nick Lachey and singer Josh Groban.

Strahan is a 6'5" New Jersey resident and is currently a host of "Fox NFL Sunday." His only acting experience was starring in the "Brothers" sitcom on the Fox network in 2009.

Strahan has been married twice before, has four children and is currently dating VH1 "Hollywood Exes" reality star Nicole Murphy. Murphy has five children by her ex-husband, comedian/actor Eddie Murphy.

Watch here Strahan's Latest Appearance as Guest Host on LIVE! with Kelly August 17!