'GMA' Bids Farewell to Josh Elliott

Josh Elliott was nowhere to be seen on Monday's Good Morning America, but new news anchor Amy Robach was there for her first of many mornings as the show's new full time co-host.

Elliott was off on a pre-arranged vacation day, but co-host George Stephanopoulos acknowledged the news, reported by The Hollywood Reporter Sunday night, that Elliott was leaving for NBC Sports and Robach would be taking over for him as the show's news anchor.

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Stephanopoulos congratulated Robach on her promotion at the top of Monday morning's show and briefly touched on Elliott's departure.

'He is going to back to his roots, reporting on the NFL and the Olympics on NBC Sports,' Stephanopoulos said. 'He let us know last night, and, Josh, it has been a great run with you here on GMA. We're very happy you're going to be pursuing your passion.'

Elliott's news leaves Stephanopoulos as the only male co-host on GMA, something co-anchor Lara Spencer seemed to acknowledge as she told him, 'The estrogen is flowing.'

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Later when Stephanopoulos threw to Robach for the first news update, he said he hoped this would be the first of many tosses to her.

'Thank goodness I've ridden this bicycle before,' Robach, who's often made appearances as a correspondent on the show, said.

Robach also did Elliott's signature 'Play of the Day' segment.

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At the top of the 8 o'clock hour, the GMA anchors noted the change again, with Stephanopoulos saying Elliott is 'doing his passion.'

Spencer called him her 'TV brother,' saying, 'he's in his zone. We love you. We wish you nothing but the best.'

She also teased that they would look back at some of the show's memorable moments with Elliott later, which presumably means later this week, since those weren't featured in the remainder of Monday's show.

Robin Roberts was also missing from GMA's Times Square studio on Monday, but that's because she's in L.A. preparing for her guest-judging gig on Dancing With the Stars, something GMA showed behind-the-scenes footage of throughout Monday's show.

While NBC Sports is expected to officially announce Elliott's new role later this week, Elliott's new NBC colleague Al Roker welcomed him to the family with the following tweet Monday morning.

Welcome, Josh Elliot to NBC Sports after your conscious uncoupling from GMA/ABC.

- Al Roker (@alroker) March 31, 2014