After a bit of a bumpy road at the beginning of Michael Strahan’s departure from the long-running daytime talk show, LIVE!, the remaining host has kicked off her search for a new partner.
Kelly Ripa has been appearing on the award-winning talk show for more than a decade and has only ever seen one co-host change in that time, which was due to Regis Philbin’s retirement in 2011.
Now, with the departure of Strahan, she’s on the prowl for a new sidekick – but she’s looking in some unexpected places.
According to TVLine, the blonde bombshell has set her sights squarely on one of the most well-known and beloved NASCAR drivers, Jeff Gordon.
Gordon hasn’t appeared on the show for over a year, but the last time he was there it was just as a guest. Last year also marked the year that he retired from professional stock car racing.
He’s been doing analyst work for Fox NASCAR since retirement, but not much else has surfaced career-wise for him.
Of the rumors, a rep for the show responded to TVLine with a blanket statement, “…we don’t comment on co-host speculation.”
According to the site, Gordon’s rep hasn’t responded regarding the rumors.
Watch one of the shows where Gordon was playing co-host alongside Ripa below!