Kelly Ripa finally getting a permanent co-host

NEW YORK (AP) - Kelly Ripa is introducing her new co-host this morning _ and it’s expected to be Michael Strahan.

She will welcome her new partner on the air when the show begins at 9 a.m. EDT.

Although producers of “Live! With Kelly” have not commented on who would fill the void left by Regis Philbin when he retired last November, Strahan has been in negotiations and is believed to have landed the job.

Strahan, 40, is a former NFL star and currently a host of “Fox NFL Sunday.”

The syndicated weekday talk show has left Ripa without a permanent co-host since Philbin departed the show. Since then, she has welcomed 59 guest co-hosts, several of whom, including Strahan, were under consideration for the permanent job. Strahan has made several guest appearances this year.

Strahan’s broadcasting career has also included a starring role on a short-lived Fox sitcom, “Brothers,” in 2009.

Philbin, the original “Live!” host, exited at age 80 after presiding more than 28 years alongside several co-hosts.

Ripa became his on-air partner in 2001.