Howard Stern is staying with SiriusXM despite recent retirement rumors.
The radio show host made his announcement Monday morning after initially trolling fans — with Andy Cohen’s help — into believing he was out.
Cohen, 57, first came on the air and said, “I know you’re expecting a big announcement from Howard, and this is not how things were meant to go.”
Howard Stern revealed his fate at SiriusXM amid rampant retirement rumors.Getty Images
The radio show host is remaining with the network.Getty Images
He expressed regret over not doing a “cleaner hand off” and “kind of winging it” during the “surreal morning.”
Cohen, who said the channel would be called “Andy 100,” noted that he couldn’t “possibly fill [Stern’s] void” and was certain the 71-year-old would land another network soon.
Stern subsequently took over, thanking Cohen for taking part in the gag.
Instagram users commented their mixed feelings over the “rollercoaster of emotions,” with one admitting to having “an entire mental breakdown and … bawling in [her] kitchen.”
Another praised Cohen for being “very good and believable” amid the “great bit.”
Others, however, blasted Stern for the “nauseating … cry for attention” — and some pointed out that he did “this bit before” years ago with David Lee Roth.
Andy Cohen helped him out.sternshow/Instagram
The Bravo executive claimed to be taking over for Stern.Getty Images for SiriusXM
Stern’s rep did not immediately respond to Page Six’s request for comment.
Reports surfaced last month that the shock jock’s show was in jeopardy as his $500 SiriusXM contract neared its end.
However, the Daily Mail claimed the firing rumors were a “desperate hoax” to boost Stern’s ratings and keep him “relevant.”
Fans gushed over the gag — although some called Stern “nauseating.”Michael Zorn/Invision/AP
Last month, news broke that Stern’s future at the network was in jeopardy.Kevin Mazur
SiriusXM’s president, Scott Greenstein, said at a conference Wednesday that he “would love” Stern to stay.
“It certainly has to make sense, but we feel pretty good that we’ve done this before,” he said last week. “We’ll see where it goes.”
Additionally, SiriusXM CEO Jennifer Witz said at the time that they were “confident [they would] get to the right place” with their “core” talent.
He was supposed to return to the air last week but unexpectedly canceled.Getty Images
The shock jock has been with the network since 2004.NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images
Speculation continued to swirl last week when Stern was slated to return from summer break but unexpectedly canceled.
He addressed this on Monday, claiming to have been sick.
Stern initially signed with SiriusXM in 2004, with “The Howard Stern Show” debuting in January 2006
