Kelly Ripa suffers malfunction in tight pencil skirt

Kelly Ripa had to apologize to viewers after her malfunction was caught on camera. The 50-year-old daytime talk show host was looking her usual stylish self on Tuesday’s episode of Live! With Kelly and Ryan, with the syndicated series’ Instagram posting a pre-air moment as Ripa and co-host Ryan Seacrest geared up to greet America.

Live! updated just before airtime, with the video seeing Kelly and 46-year-old Ryan walking up to the set’s desk – of course, former sitcom star Kelly’s super-snazzy outfit got showcased, but so did a rather awkward moment.

Kelly Ripa suffers awkward moment on Live!

See the video below. Kelly and Ryan were welcomed by new announcer Deja Vu, seen by her DJ decks and pumping up the crew for another early morning start. Kelly, highlighting her tiny waist in a high-waisted and hot pink pencil skirt, kept it super-chic in a piped and floral green blouse, with the ensemble completed by the star’s trademark stiletto heels.

Ryan, in a suit and top, sat down at the desk to welcome viewers, but Kelly had a mishap. The blonde was seen near-choking and coughing as she mumbled about “swallowing” something – instead of a brief oops-I-swallowed-the-wrong way, viewers got a sustained outcome, where Kelly actually had to stop talking to let the cough do its thing.

“We’re live now!” a caption read, with Kelly eventually recovering and getting fans off to a good day.

Fans, this month shading Kelly over an Italy vacation photo as they accused the star of only having one foot – she clapped back saying she was crossing her feet – have been sending love.

“Luv the outfit!” one wrote, with another sending both Kelly and American Idol host Ryan good vibes as they said: “Yes!! Just love you guys ❤️ Always have my morning coffee with my all time favorite morning show.”

Kelly has hosted the series since 2001 and, with Ryan, it’s now the most-watched morning talk show in the U.S. The Persona Nutrition face this year welcomed both husband Mark Consuelos and 20-year-old daughter Lola onto the set. Kelly did, however, make headlines for multiple absences, ones seeing her replaced by temporary fill-in hosts including Maria Menounos and Ali Wentworth.

Kelly has also been garnering speculation over whether she’s staying or leaving. Last year, and while celebrating turning 50, the mom-of-three opened up to Parade, revealing she’s got something else going on and that her days on morning TV might be coming to an end.

“I’ve been writing a lot, so my goal ultimately would be to eventually get off camera and start working behind the camera more in that creative aspect because I really do enjoy the writing process so much,” she revealed.