In February and March, rumors began to circulate that Kelly Clarkson was going to leave her eponymous day-time talk show because of her numerous absences.

But it’s since been learned that Clarkson, 43, took time off to care for her ex-husband, Brandon Blackstock, who was battling melanoma, and to help their children, 11 and 9, prepare for his death, according to Page Six. Now, following news of Blackstock’s death Thursday at age 48, it’s been reported that Clarkson, despite her profound grief, will return to tape new episodes of “The Kelly Clarkson Show.”

TMZ reported that the NBC show is “locked” for a 7th season and the plan is to drop fresh episodes in September. Sources told TMZ that the show’s staff knew about Blackstock’s illness but kept it under wraps out of respect for the

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