Wendy Williams won’t be returning to her talk show this season: Report

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Wendy Williams won’t be returning to her daytime talk show this season — if ever.

The news, first reported by Variety, cites unnamed sources who say the show is planning to finish out Season 13 without her.

Instead, producers are reportedly working on inking a deal with popular fill-in host Sherri Shepard to be named the show’s “permanent guest host.”

She would appear on “Wendy Williams” under its current banner for most or all shows remaining. If Williams’ health doesn’t allow her to return in the fall of 2022, the show would be renamed and Shepard would become its permanent host.

Technically the show, which is syndicated but carried by Fox owned stations in major markets, hasn’t even been renewed for a Season 14, though it could be quasi-renewed if a deal is reached with Shepard.

Essentially, station partners would be signing on to renew “Wendy Williams” with the understanding that it may change its name and host come fall.

Williams hasn’t appeared on her show since it wrapped Season 12 in July 2021. Since then, she tested positive for COVID and has been reportedly suffering from complications from Graves Disease, with some reports claiming she is also having mental health issues.

Her brother has claimed she was showing signs of dementia.

Williams has had a rough few years; she finalized a bitter divorce with ex-husband Kevin Hunter, who was also her manager and executive producer of the show, after years of alleged emotional abuse and infidelity.

She also lost her mother in 2020.