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Nick says he’s not splitting from Jessica

Singer says everything is ‘absolutely wonderful’

updated 4:41 p.m. ET Aug. 3, 2005

NEW YORK - Nick Lachey and Kelly Ripa took a broom to some rumors as they co-hosted the syndicated TV show “Live With Regis and Kelly.”

Lachey denied that his marriage to Jessica Simpson is on the rocks, and Ripa said her co-host, Regis Philbin, isn’t getting the boot from the daytime talk show.

On Wednesday’s show, Lachey said everything is “absolutely wonderful” between him and Simpson, who co-stars in “The Dukes of Hazzard” film. The 31-year-old singer also denied being jealous of Simpson’s career.

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“Everything is absolutely wonderful in marriage, in life and love, and we’ve been saying it for months now, it’s just, ‘We’re OK,”’ he said. “I love my wife to death and I support the heck out of her as any husband would.”

Meanwhile, Ripa told viewers not to read anything into Philbin’s absence. There have been reports that Philbin and Ripa don’t get along and that Philbin might be forced out.

“Regis is not fired,” Ripa said. “He’s just on special assignment. And we love each other.”

© 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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