Ben Sherwood's (Exec. Prod.) Departure From "Good Morning America"

[Pavan]

Due to personal reasons, Ben Sherwood will be leaving “Good Morning America” effective October 1. We appreciate all Ben has done for the program during his tenure as Executive Producer and wish him well. We will keep you apprised of any announcements regarding his replacement.

Please see below Ben's message to his colleagues at ABC News:



Dear GMA family,

I wish we could meet in person but I wanted to write as soon as possible with some news. I had hoped to speak with you early next week but those plans have been overtaken by outside events.

With heavy heart, I've let David and our anchors know that I am resigning from GMA effective October 1 in order to move with Karen and Will back to Los Angeles. For important reasons, we need to be on the West Coast now, closer to our family.

As many of you know, I’ve spent more time in LA these last months to help handle a personal matter, and I’ll need to be there even more in the months ahead.

We all know the morning TV battle enters a whole new era in September. Indeed, we’re making big plans for the summer and fall season ahead. I plan to lead the fight through the summer with everything I’ve got and I’ll work closely with my successor and the whole team for a smooth transition in the fall.

This has been an incredibly difficult decision - I grew up at ABC News and it feels like I am leaving my second family. As you know when I arrived, I spoke of the need to balance the personal and professional - no easy feat in morning television. I have done the math - as best I can - and there was only one choice for me and my family.

I love this place, our amazing anchors, incredible staff, and the work we do every morning. I’m confident GMA’s future is brighter than ever.

I look forward to talking one-one-one in the days ahead. There's much to discuss.

Ben