Kelly Ripa ‘blindsided’ by Michael Strahan departure news?

Various media outlets today are reporting that Kelly Ripa was apparently “blindsided” by the news of her “Live! with Kelly and Michael” co-host’s announcement Tuesday that he was leaving their Emmy-winning gabfest to join “Good Morning America” full-time this fall.

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People.com quotes a source as saying that Ripa, who was a no-show for Wednesday’s show, “is currently ‘refusing to come back’ and that while she could decide to return any time, her plan is not to for the rest of this week.”

Money.cnn.com reports: “Ripa and her longtime executive producer Michael Gelman found out just a few minutes before the move was announced by ABC, according to two sources who were involved. Neither of them were happy about it, according to numerous reports. One of CNNMoney’s sources confirmed: “She is beyond angry. Beyond.”

According to a “Live!” spokesperson, Ripa had Wednesday off; actress Ana Gasteyer (“SNL”) filled in for Ripa.

Strahan, on Wednesday’s show, offered up these words to his pal: “Kelly, I thank you, I love you and everyone else here at ‘Live.’” Strahan joined the show as full-time co-host in 2012. The show won a daytime Emmy last year for best talk show.

UPDATE: Late Wednesday, Deadline.com was reporting that Ripa will be off the remainder of the week, with “Dancing with the Stars” co-host Erin Andrews filling in. The website notes that Ripa was previously scheduled for vacation days Friday and next Monday, April 25.

The website goes on to say: “According to sources, Ripa was less than thrilled, two years ago, when ABC announced Strahan would appear on ‘GMA’ – just two days a week. Making that announcement back then, Strahan assured Ripa, on air, that his ‘Live’ gig was his top priority: “This is what I do…This is me. This is my home. No matter what. I go nowhere. This is my love. You are my love. This is my job. So don’t worry, anybody, I’m not going anywhere.’ ”