Regis Philbin says Kelly Ripa was 'very offended' when he left 'Live'

Feb. 16 (UPI) -- Regis Philbin says Kelly Ripa was "very offended" when he left the morning talk show Live.

The 85-year-old television personality explained on Wednesday's episode of Larry King Now why he and the 46-year-old Live host haven't spoken since he quit the series in 2011.

"Not really, no," Philbin said when asked if he and Ripa keep in touch. "Never once did they ask me to go back [on the show]."

"She got very offended when I left," he added. "She thought I was leaving because of her. I was leaving because I was getting older and that wasn't right for me anymore."

"Yeah, I think [she took it personally]," the star speculated. "That was [years] ago. Haven't heard."

Philbin co-hosted Live! with Regis and Kelly from 2001 to 2011 after co-hosting Live! with Regis and Kathie Lee with Kathie Lee Gifford from 1988 to 2000. He previously discussed his estrangement from Ripa on SiriusXM in 2015.

"I haven't seen her, I don't see her," the star said when asked how often he sees or speaks to Ripa. "She lived downtown, and now I hear she's on the East Side, and uh, you know."

Retired NFL star Michael Strahan replaced Philbin on Live in 2012, but departed the show himself in May for Good Morning America. Ripa said on Watch What Happens Live in December that she's still searching for a new co-host.