Ryan Seacrest breaks down in tears as he welcomes Mark Consuelos as his backup presenter in a touching on-air moment

RYAN Seacrest started crying while welcoming Mark Consuelos to the live family on Friday.

The presenter had to wipe his tears as he and his backup presenter shared their mutual love and appreciation live on air.

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On Thursday, Ryan shocked fans when he announced during his and Kelly Ripe’s live talk show that he was leaving the program later this year.

Kelly’s husband Mark will take his place.

With that in mind, Mark joined the current co-hosts on Friday to discuss a little more about the changes coming to the show.

Sitting across from each other on set, Ryan turned serious as he told Mark, “I want to say that you’re a brother to me, you’re a family member to me. I got so close to you both.

“The three of us sat together before I moved here and had real conversations about doing so for a couple of years.

“It ended up taking longer than I thought it would and I couldn’t be happier to see you walk in and be next to your wife who we both know is the most amazing human being on the planet.”

After hearing Ryan’s kind words, Mark quickly shared a few of his own.

The ‘Riverdale’ actor told ‘American Idol’: “I couldn’t think of a better person to have sat next to my wife in the last six years.

“You are a true friend. you are a brother You are generous to my wife, to my whole family.

“I need to meet your family. I love your parents, your niece, your sister, your brother-in-law.”

Ryan shocked fans when, while seated next to Kelly, he announced his imminent departure during Thursday’s show.

“That was the best time for me. I can’t thank you enough,” he told Kelly.

She sweetly replied, “There is no one like you. There is nobody who can really do what you do.

“I know you in real life and in TV life and I say that about very few people. What you see is what you get.

“It’s not acting. That’s a good man. And I’m so incredibly impressed with you.”

Ryan remained silent and looked serious as his co-host said such kind words.

She continued, “I hope and pray that you’ll keep us posted about your personal life, and I promise I’ll hardly be announcing anything here on the show.”

“I feel the same for you,” Ryan said. “I promise.”

He then admitted: “Okay, we’re taking a break so I can cry. We will be right back.”

Ryan and Kelly hugged tightly as their DJ played the outro music as the show went into a commercial break.

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