Wendy Williams' TV return in doubt as insiders admit her recovery is 'slower than everyone hoped' but deny drugs, addiction or dementia is to blame as Sherri Shepherd is lined up to officially take over
- The NYC native, 57, 'won't be returning to the show for the rest of this season,' an insider said
- Williams remains dealing with 'a number of medical issues, including Graves' disease'
- The source denied reports Williams was dealing with 'a stroke, drugs or addiction issues or a dementia diagnosis'
- Williams' potential return to TV 'will depend on how her healing goes over the summer'
- The remarks came amid reports that Shepherd, 54, will be announced as the 'permanent guest host' of the show once a deal is in place
- Williams was set to return to her show last fall but faced delays as she was dealing with breakthrough COVID-19 and Graves' disease
Wendy Williams' return to her TV show The Wendy Williams Show is in doubt, as insiders say her recovery from illness 'is going slower than everyone had hoped.'
The New York City native, 57, 'won't be returning to the show for the rest of this season,' a source told People Tuesday.
'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 insider told the publication.
The latest: Wendy Williams' return to her TV show The Wendy Williams Show is in doubt, as insiders say her recovery from illness 'is going slower than everyone had hoped.' The star, 57, was seen in September of 2020
The insider said that 'reports of a stroke, drugs or addiction issues or a dementia diagnosis are all false' in regards to Williams' health, which 'is the most important thing' moving forward in assessing the situation.
Williams' potential return to TV 'will depend on how her healing goes over the summer,' the source said.
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The latest updates on Williams' health came amid a TMZ report that Sherri Shepherd, 54, will be announced as the 'permanent guest host' of the daytime talk show once a deal is in place.
Shepherd has been one of the guest hosts to fill in for Williams during her absence - Leah Remini, Michael Rapaport, Whitney Cummings and Jerry Springer have also had guest hosting stints - and garnered strong ratings during a stint last November.
Williams '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,' a source said
Shepherd has been one of the guest hosts to fill in for Williams during her absence and garnered strong ratings during a stint last November. She was snapped in LA last year
A rep for Shepherd, who was formerly a co-host on The View, said that the Chicago native 'is thrilled to be invited back to guest host the Wendy Williams Show the week of February 21st' and that there was no further comment on the reports of her taking over the helm of the show.
Williams was last seen on the program in July of 2021, before stepping back due to ailments last fall. Williams was set to return to her show but faced delays as she was dealing with breakthrough COVID-19 and Graves' disease.
Her show issued a statement last autumn that Williams remained 'under medical supervision' and was meeting 'with her medical team on a daily basis.
Williams, seen last year, will have a chance to return if she is feeling better, TMZ reported
'She is making progress but is experiencing serious complications as a direct result of Graves' Disease and her thyroid condition. It has been determined that more time is needed before she is able to return to her live hosting duties.'
According to the TMZ report, producers will stay in the loop on Williams' recovery spanning through September, and Williams will have a chance to return if she is feeling better.
Should she not be able to return, the name of the show would be changed, according to the outlet.
Insiders told TMZ that the Fox Station Group, which the show airs on via its owned and operated stations, has approved of the plan.
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