Sports hero Michael Strahan will be the next permanent co-host of Live! With Kelly, it’s being reported. The former New York Giants legend is said to bagged the position Regis Philbin left behind when he retired in November 2011. It wouldn’t be surprising for the 40-year-old will sit beside Kelly Ripa for the foreseeable future, as he completed his ninth guest host slot on May 7.  Broadcasting Cable.comsay an official announcement will soon be made.  The news comes just a day after Live! announced that the mystery co-host would join her for the show’s new season, staring September 4. The 6ft5 Houston born star already hosts Fox NFL Sunday and Pros vs. Joes. Ripa is said to auditioned 59 celebrities to see who she gelled with best.  Favourites for the role were thought to include Strahan, Jerry O’Connell and Nick Lachey. She said her dream partner would be the estimable Anderson Cooper, but his schedule is already too busy.  Strahan promises to be an entertaining host.