Kelly Ripa is reportedly "livid" with Ryan Seacrest despite her public show of support for him on Thursday (01.03.18).
Kelly Ripa
The 47-year-old TV star is said to be angry with her 'Live with Kelly and Ryan' co-host in light of the sexual harassment allegations made against him by former stylist Suzie Hardy, who worked with Ryan at E! from 2007 to 2013.
A source explained: "Kelly doesn't want to risk anything happening to 'Live' ... She is understandably livid because it could potentially f**k up her show."
Kelly has defended her co-host - who has repeatedly denied the allegations - in front of the cameras.
But it's been claimed that their working relationship isn't as strong as they try to suggest.
Another insider told the New York Post newspaper's Page Six column: "They oversell their friendship ... Her reputation is rolled up in this - this is her show. For Kelly, there's not a Plan B. She has to make a decision and rally around him."
By contrast, Kelly recently insisted it is a "privilege to work" with Ryan, describing him as a "professional" and a "great person".
Speaking about Ryan's upcoming appearance at the Oscars red carpet, where he'll be working for E!, Kelly told him: "I cannot wait to see you there. I am very excited. And I just want you to know, you are a privilege to work with and I adore you.
"Speaking on behalf of all of us here, I know what an easy, professional, great person you are, and I feel very, very lucky to work with you each and every day."
In an article for Variety magazine earlier this week, Suzie claimed that Ryan groped her vagina, pushed himself up against her body and slapped her buttock so hard that a mark was still visible hours later.
Of the alleged abuse, Suzie said: "As proud as I am and as strong as a woman as I am, as smart as I am and as much work as I've done with therapists, it really affected me."
Subsequently, Ryan released a statement denying the claims made against him, and saying that Suzie has accused him of "horrible things" in the past in order to extort money from the star in return for her silence.
An investigation into the allegations has already been conducted, with Ryan being cleared of any wrongdoing on the grounds of insufficient evidence.
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