Kathy Griffin turned down Joan Rivers' Fashion Police job

Comedienne Kathy Griffin turned down an offer to replace her late friend Joan Rivers on her TV style show Fashion Police.

Following Rivers' death in September (14), production was shut down on the longtime series, and it has been on hiatus since.

Rivers' daughter, Melissa Rivers, serves as an executive producer for Fashion Police and confirmed the show would return in January (15), with speculation spreading that Griffin might be the one to take the late funnywoman's role as co-host.

However, Griffin told Access Hollywood on Monday night (03Nov14) that while she was asked to replace her dear friend, she turned producers down.

She divulged, "They did offer it to me. I don't know if the situation is correct at this time for me or right for me at this time.

"I really hope they continue in the spirit of Joan's work. She brought a fearlessness and a brand of humor into our homes that we really need. Somebody's gotta be out there poking fun at the ridiculousness of all of this!"

Representatives for the E! Network say they are still in negotiations with candidates for the position.

The new face of Fashion Police will join co-hosts Kelly Osbourne and TV personalities Giuliana Rancic and George Kotsiopoulos.

Rivers died aged 81 after suffering a cardiac arrest during a routine throat procedure at a clinic in New York.