NEW YORK – Kelly Ripa was absent from her daytime talk show Wednesday, the day after it was announced that co-host Michael Strahan was leaving to join “Good Morning America” full-time.

The show’s spokeswoman, Barbara Warren, said that Ripa had a day off. Ripa worked the day before.

Ripa’s representative, Lauren Auslander, did not immediately return messages about Ripa’s whereabouts or state of mind. Actress Ana Gasteyer replaced her for the day.

Strahan, who mentioned his upcoming departure to the studio audience at “Live with Kelly and Michael,” noted that he’d be a neighbor – “Good Morning America” airs directly before “Live” in most parts of the country.

“I was reading some stuff and it sounded like I had died,” he said. “It’s not a eulogy, people.”

The former football star’s exit has also revived rumors that ABC is considering expanding the two-hour “Good Morning America,” which is first in the ratings but is losing viewers. The competing “Today” show on NBC airs for four hours.