Regis taking leave of absence
Talk show co-host will have hip replacement surgery
November 24, 2009, 8:35 a.m.
STAFF REPORT
Regis Philbin will take a leave of absence from "Live with Regis and Kelly" to undergo hip replacement surgery.
The 78-year-old Philbin made the announcement during his long-running ABC daytime talk show, which is broadcasting from Las Vegas this week.
"I've been limping around here; it really is painful," Regis said at the end of the show's opening segment.
His surgery is scheduled for Dec. 1, after the show's crew returns to New York.
Philbin didn't give a firm date for his return to the show, saying only, "I'll be back next year."
The show later issued a clarification. "Recovery for this procedure typically is estimated to be four to six weeks, and Regis expects to return to 'Live' as soon as possible," a rep for "Regis and Kelly" said.
Neither Philbin nor co-host Kelly Ripa addressed who would be filling in for Philbin while he is away.
In the past, "Regis and Kelly" has employed guest co-hosts when one of the stars of the show is absent.