Michael Strahan Literally Sweeps Kelly Offer Her Feet on 'Live! With Kelly'

Michael Strahan stands at 6-foot-5 tall and has literally swept Kelly Ripa off her feet on Tuesday's official welcome of the new cohost on Live! with Kelly.  The former NFL player was selected among 59 candidates and was deemed as the perfect match for Kelly.

Ripa announced, "Now it's time for the new era of our show to begin.  It's so nice to have a co-host who can literally sweep you off your feet." Strahan followed suit and lifted his tiny co host off her feet.

According to executive reducer, Michael Gelman, "there was definitely something special" when Strahan joined Kelly on the show several times during the period of auditions.

"They're able to have this fun, and they have a shorthand together, and it just works.  Having him come back all these times made it easier."

Strahan was warmly welcomed with balloons and confetti on Tuesday September 4, 2012.  Their onscreen and offscreen chemistry is reportedly genuine and fun.

The new co host explained, "You can't get on live TV every morning and fool people. We're two people who can laugh at themselves and laugh at each other."

His fiancee Nicole Murphy also appeared on the show.  

The endless speculation and anticipation that lasted for nearly one year finally concluded.