Michael Strahan leaving 'Live' for 'Good Morning America'

NEW YORK — Former football star Michael Strahan is leaving the daily talk show he co-hosts with Kelly Ripa to work full-time on "Good Morning America."

ABC said Tuesday that a search for Strahan's replacement will begin in the fall. The former New York Giant was selected after a 10-month search in 2012 to replace Regis Philbin as Ripa's co-host on the talk show, which airs at 9 a.m. in most markets.

Strahan has worked a couple of days a week at "GMA" for the past two years, but he always has to leave midway through to head to the "Live with Kelly and Michael" studio on Manhattan's upper West Side.

"Over the past two years on GMA, Michael's proven to be a timeless and versatile broadcaster with an incredible ability to connect with people, from veterans and all kinds of news makers, to a host of modern American cultural icons," said president of ABC News, James Goldston.

For "Good Morning America," Strahan has done profiles of two Green Berets who fought in Afghanistan and singer Jennifer Lopez.

"I look forward to continuing to work with the incredible team at GMA. It is an exciting opportunity to be able to bring unique stories and voices to the audience," Strahan said. “My time with LIVE with Kelly and Michael has been transformative, and my departure will be bittersweet. Kelly has been an unbelievable partner, and I am so thankful to her and the entire team. I am extremely grateful for the amazing support I've received from all of the fans."

He is expected to leave "Live" over the summer and begin his full time duties with "Good Morning America" in September.

"Live" will kick off the search for a new co-host when the new season begins in the fall.

Cox Media Group