CLAY Aiken is returning to “Live! With Regis & Kelly” tomorrow – but only on tape.

The former “American Idol” star will be making his first appearance since upsetting co-host Kelly Ripa earlier this month by covering her mouth with his hand.

Aiken taped a singing performance that same day two weeks ago when he was sitting in for Regis Philbin.

Since the controversy, Ripa and Aiken have reportedly talked by phone and patched things up.

It is not known whether she’ll bring the incident up again tomorrow, a show official said.