Kelly Ripa - Health Crisis!

Surgery fears as TV tough gal is forced off Live by crippling pain.

Kelly Ripa doubled over in agony from a devastating illness that forced the courageous Live host off TV and into a medical facility, sparking fears the bubbly blonde is hiding a crippling condition that may require surgery.

The alarm over her health was triggered when the feisty five-foot-three star began feeling ill on Sept. 18, left the set and ended up missing the show the following day.

Co-host Ryan Seacrest, 44, told surprised viewers: “Unfortunately she wasn’t feeling well yesterday and today she’s really sick. She was here a few minutes ago and we just said, ‘Go feel better.’”

Sources say the 49-year-old chatterbox “was doubled over in pain” and ended up in a local medical facility, hooked to an IV.

“People were so concerned she missed the tapings that they were afraid she might need surgery!” says a source close to Kelly and Ryan.