Wendy Williams' continued absence fromThe Wendy Williams Showwill remain for the “rest of” season 13, a source close to the situation tells PEOPLE.“Wendy won’t be returning to the show for the rest of this season. Her healing is going slower than everyone had hoped. She continues to deal with a number of medical issues, including Graves' disease, and she and her team are taking it one day at a time,” the source says.“But reports of a stroke, drugs or addiction issues or a dementia diagnosis are all false. Whether Wendy can return in the fall will depend on how her healing goes over the summer. Her health is the most important thing,” the source adds.For more onWendy Williams, listen below toour daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day.A rep forTheWendy WilliamsShowdid not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.On Tuesday,TMZreported that Sherri Shepherd will be named as the show’s “permanent guest host.” When Shepherd, 54, first hosted in November 2021ratings soaredto the highest it’s been all season. The actress hasguest-hosted multiple timessince.“Sherri is thrilled to be invited back to guest host theWendy WilliamsShowthe week of February 21st. No comment on these rumors,” a rep for Shepherd told PEOPLE.Wendy Williams.Michael Tran/FilmMagicAhead of her eponymous show’s 13th season premiere, Williams’breakthrough COVID-19 caseand her ongoing health issues tied to her Graves' disease delayed its initial return to Oct. 4.The premiere episode wasdelayed once more to Oct. 18despite Williams, 57, having recovered from COVID-19. She still continued to face other health issues, however.“Wendy continues to be under medical supervision and meets with her medical team on a daily basis,” the show said in a statement at the time. “She is making progress but is experiencing serious complications as a direct result of Graves' Disease and her thyroid condition.“The show’s statement concluded, “It has been determined that more time is needed before she is able to return to her live hosting duties.“In her absence,Leah Reministepped into guest host the show’s premiere week. Other stars have continued to take over guest-hosting duties on a rotating basis, including Shepherd,Michael Rapaport,Whitney CummingsandJerry Springer.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.There was another brief delay in early Januaryamid rising COVID-19 cases, resulting in the post-holidays return moving from Jan. 3 to Jan. 10. Ahead of the February episodes, Shepherd, Rapaport,Fat Joe,Remy Ma, Bevy Smith and Terrence J weretapped to guest hostfor the month.TheWendy WilliamsShowairs weekdays (check local listings).
Wendy Williams' continued absence fromThe Wendy Williams Showwill remain for the “rest of” season 13, a source close to the situation tells PEOPLE.
“Wendy won’t be returning to the show for the rest of this season. Her healing is going slower than everyone had hoped. She continues to deal with a number of medical issues, including Graves' disease, and she and her team are taking it one day at a time,” the source says.
“But reports of a stroke, drugs or addiction issues or a dementia diagnosis are all false. Whether Wendy can return in the fall will depend on how her healing goes over the summer. Her health is the most important thing,” the source adds.
For more onWendy Williams, listen below toour daily podcast on PEOPLE Every Day.
A rep forTheWendy WilliamsShowdid not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
On Tuesday,TMZreported that Sherri Shepherd will be named as the show’s “permanent guest host.” When Shepherd, 54, first hosted in November 2021ratings soaredto the highest it’s been all season. The actress hasguest-hosted multiple timessince.
“Sherri is thrilled to be invited back to guest host theWendy WilliamsShowthe week of February 21st. No comment on these rumors,” a rep for Shepherd told PEOPLE.
Wendy Williams.Michael Tran/FilmMagic
Ahead of her eponymous show’s 13th season premiere, Williams’breakthrough COVID-19 caseand her ongoing health issues tied to her Graves' disease delayed its initial return to Oct. 4.
The premiere episode wasdelayed once more to Oct. 18despite Williams, 57, having recovered from COVID-19. She still continued to face other health issues, however.
“Wendy continues to be under medical supervision and meets with her medical team on a daily basis,” the show said in a statement at the time. “She is making progress but is experiencing serious complications as a direct result of Graves' Disease and her thyroid condition.”
The show’s statement concluded, “It has been determined that more time is needed before she is able to return to her live hosting duties.”
In her absence,Leah Reministepped into guest host the show’s premiere week. Other stars have continued to take over guest-hosting duties on a rotating basis, including Shepherd,Michael Rapaport,Whitney CummingsandJerry Springer.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
There was another brief delay in early Januaryamid rising COVID-19 cases, resulting in the post-holidays return moving from Jan. 3 to Jan. 10. Ahead of the February episodes, Shepherd, Rapaport,Fat Joe,Remy Ma, Bevy Smith and Terrence J weretapped to guest hostfor the month.
TheWendy WilliamsShowairs weekdays (check local listings).
source: people.com
