Ryan Seacrest returns to television and blames ‘exhaustion’ after ‘worrying’ American Idol clip

‘Idol’ viewers previously worried Seacrest had suffered a stroke on camera

Ryan Seacrest has returned to television after a recent American Idol sequence left viewers worried about his health.

Seacrest hosted the American Idol finale from home on Sunday.

Towards the end of the episode, he appeared to struggle with his speech, and one of his eyes seemed to shut.

Some viewers wondered if Seacrest had suffered a stroke while on camera and expressed concerns on social media, deeming the footage “worrying”.

Seacrest’s representative said Seacrest didn’t have a stroke but was feeling the effects of stress.

The TV host himself gave an update on Tuesday after returning to Live With Kelly and Ryan, which he co-anchors with Kelly Ripa. Ripa’s husband Mark Consuelos filled in for Seacrest on Monday as Seacrest took time off.

Seacrest praised Consuelos on Tuesday, telling Ripa: “I want to thank Mark for filling in yesterday. I appreciate that. He’s so good at it.

“And also all the very kind well wishes for my exhaustion working around the clock – so I got a day off to relax and here we are once again.”

American Idol‘s 18th season wrapped up on Sunday with the singer Just Sam being crowned as the winner.

The show concluded in a remote format due to the coronavirus pandemic.