Philbin, 75, who has had an angioplasty procedure twice in the last 14 years. says "I was looking forward to an angioplasty. You know, you get in, bang bang bang, they blow it open and you leave the next day."
However, he was told he would have to have the more complicated procedure by doctors, after suffering from chest pains and having shortness of breath for weeks.
"I got to do it," Philbin said at the start of the TV show he presents - �Live With Regis & Kelly,� "Darn it, I don't want to do it. Nobody wants to do it, I guess."
Regis will go under the knife sometime this week. Philbin will be away from the show for at least five weeks. While he's gone, guest hosts will share the spotlight with co-host Kelly Ripa.
Philbin said he had discussed the surgery with David Letterman, who underwent a bypass operation in 2000.
Entertainment News