Al Roker reacts to Hoda Kotb’s exit from the Today Show: ‘I would feel a lot worse…’

Al Roker wishes his co-host Hoda Kotb, who has left the Today Show, well. Last week, Kotb emotionally announced that she was leaving the talk show to prioritize her family and children.

Speaking to People Magazine at the Food & Wine Classic Charleston event, the 70-year-old journalist revealed that he is very happy for Kotb as she enters a new, personal phase in her life.

Al Roker revealed in an interview with the entertainment portal that he will miss his colleague and that he feels bad about Kotb having to leave. He elaborated: “Will I miss her every day? Secure. But I’m just so happy for her that I can’t possibly feel any sadness.”

He further added, “I would feel a lot worse if she left, but she’s just doing something different within our NBC News family.”

On September 26, Kotb wrote a letter to NBC explaining her exit from the show. In the letter, she wrote, “As I write this, my heart is all over the map.”

She further expressed, “I know I’m making the right decision, but it’s a painful decision. And you all are the reason why. They say two things can be right at the same time, and I feel like that’s deeply true. “Now I love you and it’s time for me to leave the show.

The TV star also explained that her career in broadcast journalism had been going exceptionally well, but it was time for her to call it quits. She further claimed that while she was sad to be leaving the show, she was also excited about what lay ahead.

READ ALSO: “Hard to believe”: Al Roker reacts deeply when he takes his son to college

Al Roker expressed understanding for Hoda’s decision, sharing that when his children were young, he chose a job that allowed him to have time for his children, and Kotb had already been working long hours, although her children were at that point were still too young; Therefore, he supports the host of the TV show. He continued: “I understand exactly why she did it.”

In her final Today episode, Kotb recalled receiving support from Al Roker when she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007.

Even though the TV star left the show, she claimed to be part of the NBC family for a long time.

READ ALSO: ‘Bittersweet News’: Kathie Lee Gifford reacts to Hoda Kotb’s announcement that she is leaving the Today Show