Ryan Seacrest officially confirmed as Kelly Ripa's Live co-host

Ryan Seacrest has confirmed that he is Kelly Ripa's new permanent co-host on US morning TV show Live.

The 42-year-old guest presented the ABC program five times since the network began the search for former co-host Michael Strahan's replacement one year ago.

During that time other guest hosts have included Andy Cohen, Anderson Cooper, Jerry O'Connell and Fred Savage, however, Seacrest is the one that producers have decided to go with.

Rippa had previously teased on social media that her new co-star would be unveiled on today's (1 May) show and now it is official.

Taking to Twitter, Seacrest told his 16 million followers: "So excited to join this show!! @KellyRipa crushes every morning… one of my favourite people ever," followed by the hashtag "Live Kelly Ryan".

He later heaped further praise on Ripa on Instagram as he shared a clip of his big TV reveal.

He wrote alongside it: "Day 1 of many. Thank you for making it so easy @KellyRipa."

A source said of the move: "Live gives the former American Idol host a new daily platform on network television. Seacrest is already one of the busiest people in the media business and the new hosting gig will not affect other on-air and off-air roles; he recently renewed his contract to host red carpet specials for the E! network."

They added to CNN: "He will continue to lead his nationally syndicated radio shows for iHeartMedia, the ABC building that houses Live will also have a new radio studio for him. He is already in business with ABC as the host of Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve on New Year's Eve and the hosting deal may open the door for further business deals with ABC's parent company, Disney."

The search for a replacement first began when Strahan abruptly left the show to join Good Morning America after being a mainstay alongside Ripa for four years.

Ripa was reportedly blindsided by the news with Strahan only telling her half an hour before the news leaked in the press.