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Today's Dylan Dreyer steps in to help co-star - and it's not the first time

Al Roker was absent from Tuesday's show


Dylan Dreyer in the Today studios
Nicky Morris
TV and film writer
On 19 September 2023
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Today Show star Dylan Dreyer stepped in to cover for her co-star Al Roker on Tuesday morning in his absence. 

At the beginning of the show, hosts Savannah Guthrie and Hoda Kotb revealed that Dylan would be filling in for Al, who is off for the day. 

Dylan Dreyer in the NBC studios wearing a pink dress © NBC
Dylan Dreyer stepped in for Al Roker on Tuesday

This isn't the first time that Dylan has stepped in for Al. Last year, Al was forced to take a break from the show due to ill health, leaving Dylan to step up to the plate and fill in. 

Upon Al's return in January of this year, Dylan sat down with HELLO! for an exclusive interview and revealed what it meant to the team to have him back in the studio. 

Today Show hosts in the NBC daytime studios© NBC
Al is a weatherman on Today

"It's been so amazing and so special on so many levels to have Al return," she said. "We are a tight-knit family on the Today show. What you see is what you get."

The 42-year-old also admitted that she and her co-stars were all worried about Al during his illness. "I think there was a very real moment when we were all concerned," the mom-of-three explained. "Not knowing what was going on and just praying and reaching out to find out information was hard. We were genuinely worried as friends."

Last year, Al was absent from the show for almost two months after he was admitted to hospital twice due to blood clots traveling to his lungs.

TODAY -- Pictured: Al Roker on Monday, February 24, 2020© Getty Images
Al took two months off last year due to ill health

After returning to the show, he revealed that his illness was "life-threatening" and that he had to undergo a seven-hour surgery and lose half of his blood after he suffered internal bleeding. 

WATCH: Deborah Roberts reveals husband Al Roker was a 'medical mystery'

Praising his wife, Deborah Roberts, Al said at the time: "Thank God for Deborah. She basically shielded me from a lot of this. I had no idea how sick I was. I am a living example of ignorance is bliss."

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He added: "I was able to put all my energy into just recuperating because I didn't know how bad off I was – I thought I was doing good!"

Al Roker and Deborah Roberts at Robin Roberts and Amber Laign's wedding© Instagram
Al with his wife Deborah Roberts

Al's absence comes after the stars of Today showed their support for one of their colleagues, Kristen Welker, as she started her new role as the host of her own show, Meet the Press with Kristen Welker. 

Savannah took to Instagram with a selfie showing the star holding up a mug with the show's name printed onto it. She penned in the caption: "Here we go! Congrats to @kristen.welker - new host of @meetthepress starting Sunday!" 

Savannah Guthrie showed her support for Kristen Welker following her new gig
Savannah Guthrie showed her support for Kristen Welker following her new gig

Craig Melvin also applauded Kristen for her hard work. Posting a group photo of Today's hosts in Studio 1A on Instagram, Craig wrote: "@kristen.welker - You’re living proof that hard work and preparation pays off. Your journalistic instincts have gotten you far! Keep trusting your gut. Watch on Sunday! @meetthepress."

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