Regis Philbin To Undergo Hip Surgery

November 26, 2009 6:02 a.m. EST

New York, NY (CNS) - Regis Philbin will be taking time off from "Live with Regis & Kelly" next month to undergo hip surgery. The 78-year-old host made the announcement Monday on the show, which is broadcasting from Las Vegas this week.

He said, "I'm allowed to announce I'm going into hip surgery. I'm going to have my hip replaced. I've been limping around here, and it really is painful. I'll be back next year."

He will go under the knife on December 1 in New York, following a week of Las Vegas shows this week. He is expected to take four to six weeks off to recuperate.

Guest co-hosts, who will join co-host Kelly Ripa while Philbin is on leave, have not been announced.