Clobbered by sexual harassment allegations and bleak American Idol ratings, a trial marriage may be the key to salvaging Ryan Seacrest’s battered reputation!

The Live with Kelly and Ryan co-host, 43, has been shacking up with gorgeous gal pal Shayna Taylor in his New York City pad — and blabbing that it’s their first step to the altar.

“This is all about protecting his brand,” a source exclusively told Breaking Celebrity News. “Ryan is a daytime TV personality who’s trying to bring back the nighttime franchise that made him a multimillionaire.”

“If America starts putting its focus on him getting married, they’ll forget all this other stuff and return to ‘Idol’ in droves,” added the source.

Seacrest and Taylor, a 26-year-old model, have been photographed together constantly since February when his former personal stylist, Suzie Hardy, hit him with harassment allegations.

As Breaking Celebrity News reported, the single mom charged Seacrest would grind up against her while clad only in his underwear, groped her and once slapped her buttock so hard it left a large welt that was still visible hours later.

Hardy claimed she put up with years of abuse until 2013 when — after reporting Ryan’s alleged behavior to human resources executives — she was terminated.

The TV host has repeatedly refuted Hardy’s charges.

“Ryan really does love Shayna, but the bottom line is a trial marriage is a shrewd a business move ,” an insider said. “Cleaning up his image could help him put more money in the bank!”

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