Wendy Williams Show: Guest host Sherri Shepherd rushed to hospital as Michael Rapaport replaces her

Sherri Shepherd pulled out of hosting the Wendy Williams show with Michael Rapaport taking her place (Picture: Getty)

Sherri Shepherd has been forced to pull out of guest hosting the Wendy Williams show today after she was rushed to hospital.

The 54-year-old underwent emergency surgery for appendicitis, and is expected ‘to make a full recovery’.

Michael Rapaport stepped in to take her place on the small screen.

‘Due to appendicitis, Sherri Shepherd underwent an emergency surgery yesterday. The procedure was successful and M Shepherd is doing fine and resting,’ her spokesperson told Deadline in a statement.

‘She is absolutely devastated that she will not be able to guest host The Wendy Williams Show today, but she is following doctors orders and expected to make a full recovery. 

‘Thank you all for understanding and respecting her privacy.’

Michael shared his love for the View star at the very beginning of today’s instalment, telling the audience: ‘Sherri was supposed to host today, unfortunately she had appendicitis.

‘She’s fine, she had to go to the hospital last night for some emergency surgery. 

‘She’s feeling fine today and she is resting. Get well soon, Sherri. Everybody loves you.’

Sherri later shared an update on Twitter, thanking the Friends actor for stepping into her shoes.

Wendy Williams has been focusing on her health off camera (Picture: Getty)

‘If you watched the @WendyWilliams show today, you saw the news about my emergency surgery,’ she tweeted. ‘Thanks to @MichaelRapaport for stepping in for me at the last minute! 

‘And while I’m mad I didn’t meet @NaomiWWE in person yet, Jeffrey did! I’ll share more later…’

Right on cue, fans rushed to wish her a speedy recovery.

‘OH NO. I hope Sherri Shepherd is okay.  We are praying for you,’ one replied. ‘We were really looking forward to seeing you host the Wendy Williams show this week. Take care of yourself.  We will see you soon. #SherriShepherd #WendyWilliamsShow.’

Another agreed: ‘OH NO…I don’t watch the show but I hope you get better soon. Sending prayers your way!!!’

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As a follower added: ‘Healing hugs sent from all of of us, Sherri!’

Sherri was due to return to the Wendy Williams Show as a special guest host from today until December 17, while the usual presenter focuses on her recovery after a series of health issues.

Wendy previously assured viewers that she is taking time to recuperate after contracting a ‘breakthrough case of coronavirus’ in September – with the series premiere pushed back while she recovered.

The star has been unable to take on her daytime hosting duties ever since then, and has also suffered other medical complications in that time.

Addressing concerned fans on Instagram, she insisted that she is ‘making progress’, and will return to her purple chair as soon as it is agreed that she is ‘ready’.

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