David Letterman Will Be on Hand for Regis Philbin Return

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NEW YORK - When Regis Philbin returns to Live With Regis and Kelly Thursday after taking a break to undergo heart surgery, David Letterman will be there to greet him, co-host Kelly Ripa said.

The 75-year-old Philbin had triple-bypass heart surgery last month. Ripa was joined by guest hosts while Philbin was recovering; on Monday, it was Bryant Gumbel.

Letterman has been a guest of Live several times, most recently on November 8, 2004. Philbin has appeared on Letterman's CBS show Late Show With David Letterman many times and guest-hosted when Letterman had heart-bypass surgery seven years ago.