"Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes have the day off," said a bright-eyed Stephanie Ramos, who was hosting GMA3 alongside out correspondent Gio Benitez on Monday afternoon.
What Ramos didn't say was why Robach and Holmes had the day off. But anyone following the unfolding drama would suspect what was going on.
Just last week, the Daily Mail leaked a series of photos revealing Robach and Holmes' six-month affair. In one of the photos, Holmes gives Robach's behind a playful squeeze following a romantic November getaway in upstate New York. In another, the two are seen holding hands in an Uber to Robach's apartment.
Robach and Holmes, known for their on-air chemistry, have been cohosting Good Morning America's third hour since 2020. Their romance has believed to have blossomed in June, when they were covering the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in London.
The cohosts appeared to acknowledge the affair on air last week.
"You know it's too bad it's Friday," said Holmes.
"Is it?" said Robach.
"It's been a great week," said Holmes, sarcastically. "I just want this one to keep going and going and going"
Both married their respective spouses in 2010. Holmes, 45, is married to attorney Marilee Fiebig, 44; whereas Robach, 49, is married to actor Andrew Shue, 55.
They also both have blended families. Holmes has a daughter, 9, with Fiebig, as well as two other children from a previous relationship. Robach has two daughters from a first marriage, and Shue has three sons.
On Monday morning, Kim Godwin, ABC News president, said in an editorial call that Robach and Holmes would be taken off the air indefinitely.
"I want to say that while that relationship is not a violation of company policy, I have really taken the last few days to think about and work through what I think is best for the ABC News organization," said Godwin, according to TMZ.
"I'm asking that we stop the whispering in the hallways," Godwin continued. "We can't operate with gossip, speculation, and rumors. We need to stay focused on the work."
"If you think there is something that management needs to know, you can always call HR or, as we've said, talk to a manager that you trust."
It is unknown whether Ramos, ABC's national correspondent, and Benitez, the transportation correspondent, will be permanent replacements.
Benitez, who was born and raised in Miami, is openly gay. He married Tommy DiDario, a fellow television correspondent, in 2016.
In 2019, he shared with Good Morning America a moving letter to his younger self in honor of National Coming Out Day.
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