Actor Jerry O’Connell has replaced Sharon Osbourne on CBS’ Daytime Emmy Award-winning talk show ‘The Talk’. He will now co-host the show alongside Amanda Kloots, Elaine Welteroth and Sheryl Underwood.   

“It’s real exciting. First of all, I want to say, you ladies have been so welcoming to me. I mean, I came here as a guest months ago, and just from the moment I walked in, you’re just gracious, you’re kind, you’re fun, and it worked. And here we are. We’re going to have a lot of fun, we really are,” the 47-year-old actor said on Wednesday’s episode. The announcement was made on O’Connell’s 14th wedding anniversary with his wife Rebecca Romijn.

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O’Connell, who is best known for his roles as Quinn Mallory in the TV series ‘Sliders’ and Derek in ‘Scream 2’, is now the first male to hold the position full-time. 

Executive producers Heather Gray and Kristin Matthews, said they are “beyond thrilled” to have the actor on the show.

“We loved his infectious enthusiasm, humor, openness and insights as a guest co-host and look forward to him now bringing those dynamic qualities to the show every day. As an accomplished actor, devoted husband and father, Jerry will bring a unique and entertaining perspective to the conversation,” they said in a statement. 

Osbourne left the show in March following her controversial exchange with co-host Sheryl Underwood during which the former made some controversial comments on race.

“The events of the March 10 broadcast were upsetting to everyone involved, including the audience watching at home. As part of our review, we concluded that Sharon’s behavior toward her co-hosts during the March 10 episode did not align with our values for a respectful workplace,” CBS said in a statement at the time.

In her first TV interview following her exit from the show, Osbourne said she was “angry” and “hurt.”