Akbar Gbajabiamila joins The Talk after Elaine Welteroth and Sharon Osbourne's ...

Akbar Gbajabiamila joins The Talk after Elaine Welteroth and Sharon Osbourne's ...
Akbar Gbajabiamila joins The Talk after Elaine Welteroth and Sharon Osbourne's ...

Akbar Gbajabiamila is joining the table of The Talk, just days after news Elaine Welteroth would be making her exit after only one season.

The American Ninja Warrior host, 42, will join Sheryl Underwood, Amanda Kloots and Jerry O'Connell on the panel following a tumultuous year for the CBS show.

In March, Sharon Osbourne, 68, ended her 10-year run at The Talk after an on-air row over her defense of comments made by her friend Piers Morgan.

And earlier this month, it was announced that another panelist, Carrie Ann Inaba, will 'not be returning' following her months-long hiatus post-scandal.

New guy: Akbar Gbajabiamila of NBC's American Ninja Warrior is joining the table of The Talk after a tumultuous season saw three hosts make their exits

New guy: Akbar Gbajabiamila of NBC's American Ninja Warrior is joining the table of The Talk after a tumultuous season saw three hosts make their exits

Exit: On Tuesday news Elaine Welteroth would be making her exit after only one season emerged

Exit: On Tuesday news Elaine Welteroth would be making her exit after only one season emerged

Gbajabiamila seems eager to help The Talk ring in a new era, as the second male host and first ever Black man on the panel.

Talking about his new job in a statement, the former NFL player said: 'It is an absolute honor to be joining The Talk as a host! I am so excited for this new generation of such a long-standing establishment. 

'To be a part of this diverse group, is truly a dream and a new statement for The Talk. 

'In a world as divided as ours, I look forward to showing up as my fun and authentic self everyday and advocating for conversation over confrontation.' 

Heather Gray, executive producer and showrunner of The Talk, also struck an optimistic tone, saying: 'It's a new day in daytime for Season 12 of The Talk and we are thrilled to welcome Akbar to the family. 

'His engaging personality, openness and quick wit really impressed us when he appeared as a guest co-host last season.'

So long: In March, Sharon Osbourne, 68, ended her 10-year run

Leaving: Earlier this month, it was announced that Carrie Ann Inabawill 'not be returning' following her months-long hiatus

So long: In March, Sharon Osbourne, 68, ended her 10-year run and earlier this month, it was announced that Carrie Ann Inabawill 'not be returning' following her months-long hiatus

On Tuesday, word that Elaine Welteroth was leaving the The Talk after just one season emerged, making the second full-time panelist to depart the CBS show in the last two weeks and the third since Sharon Osbourne quit earlier this year.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Ann Inaba, will 'not be returning' to moderate and co-host The Talk after announcing her leave of absence on April 26 'to focus on my well-being.' She joined the show in 2017.

Osbourne, the 68-year-old music manager and wife of Black Sabbath front man Ozzy Osbourne, left in late March after a heated debate over her friend Piers Morgan saw her publicly fall out with Sheryl Underwood and other co-stars. 

The row began when Morgan stormed out of the British talk show Good Morning Britain on March 9 after saying he didn't believe Meghan Markle was suicidal following her bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.

When asked to comment on his remarks on The Talk the following day, Osbourne said that although she disagreed with Morgan, she supported his right to express his controversial opinion on TV.

Welteroth departs after just one season as a permanent co-host. She is seen alongside last season's full-time cast. From left: Welteroth, Carrie Ann Inaba, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, and Amanda Kloots

Welteroth departs after just one season as a permanent co-host. She is seen alongside last season's full-time cast. From left: Welteroth, Carrie Ann Inaba, Sharon Osbourne, Sheryl Underwood, and Amanda Kloots

Underwood, who is black, pushed back hard and accused Osbourne of downplaying Morgan's comments and giving 'validation' to his 'racist' views.

The Talk was sent on a month-long hiatus following the heated on-air debate but Osbourne was essentially forced to quit the show. 

The incident sparked a wider conversation about race and an internal investigation at CBS after Welteroth, 34, reportedly complained of 'a racially insensitive and hostile environment' at the show.

Welteroth and Underwood would later address the controversy on air weeks later,  saying the two had been forced to stay 'composed' in the face of someone 'who was not listening and who went off the rails into disrespect.'

Osbourne came under fire on The Talk in March after defending friend Piers Morgan in an on-air debate with co-host Sheryl Underwood, who accused him of making racist remarks

Osbourne came under fire on The Talk in March after defending friend Piers Morgan in an on-air debate with co-host Sheryl Underwood, who accused him of making racist remarks

Welteroth (left) was part of the heated discussion on race during the March 10 episode that saw Osbourne publicly fall out with her co-stars and subsequently end her ten-year run on the show

Welteroth (left) was part of the heated discussion on race during the March 10 episode that saw Osbourne publicly fall out with her co-stars and subsequently end her ten-year run on the show

But an audio recording obtained by DailyMail.com shows Welteroth taking quite a different tone when she discussed the

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