“I am still in denial” — David Muir HALTS live broadcast with emotional message as beloved ABC colleague makes sudden EXIT, leaving viewers and staff stunned by what he revealed on air

In an unexpected moment that caught the attention of millions, David Muir stopped his usual reporting during World News Tonight to deliver a deeply personal message. Fighting back emotion, Muir paid tribute to a longtime colleague, saying, “I am still in denial,” as he acknowledged her departure after more than a decade together at ABC. The tone shifted from national headlines to heartfelt gratitude—and viewers couldn’t look away. Who is this colleague, and what led to her sudden decision?

Find out what happened behind the scenes and why this goodbye hit so hard. Full story waiting now.

David Muir halted his ABC show to deliver a special message to his colleague who was leaving the network(Image: ABC)

Things took a teary turn on Tuesday’s instalment of ABC World News Tonight.

David Muir, 51, was sitting in his usual seat for his 6:30 p.m. ABC timeslot when he interrupted the live taping to deliver an emotional “personal note” to one of his long-time colleagues.

Speaking directly to the camera, David began, “And finally tonight here, a personal note about someone we will miss here at ABC News.” The camera then panned to a lady behind the camera, as the ABC anchor continued, “Here she is, right there, the one person who is here every night. Michelle Mayer has been standing right next to that camera, cueing me and so many other anchors. Peter, Charlie, and Diane for decades.

“She’s been at ABC News for more than 30 years. And if you look closely, this wide shot of the studio before we go on, the camera pans Shelly with her hands on her hips,” David went on as a clip played featuring his stage manager Michelle behind the scenes.

Michelle guiding David behind the scenes on ABC(Image: ABC)

“And I always call out for her, Shelly. And then, as Michelle knows, more than anyone in these chaotic times, right before we go on our joke, I triple check we know what day it is,” he playfully continued.

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David then gave viewers some background on Michelle’s career at the network, pointing out, “She started as a prompter operator for Peter Jennings back in the mid 1990s and then stage manager Peter on his way to the studio.

“There, Shelley, on set, there in the background, ready for him. She would travel with Peter to Hong Kong, the conventions, to Cuba, working with Charlie Gibson when he became anchor, she always knew that Charlie would walk up those stairs to the studio at the last minute, and then she was there for Diane Sawyer, her partner behind the scenes, while Diane was on the air, guiding her, as she has guided us all, and on this night when we now say goodbye,” he added

David then said, “Diane wanted to make sure that everyone watching at Home knows about the person we all count on behind the camera.

Diane then popped up on screen and delivered her own personal message to Michelle, saying, “I just want all the wonderful people who watch world news to know that when you’re watching the person sitting at this desk, you’re really also watching the coach behind the camera.

“Michelle, always there to say, move it along, or slow it down, or time to get out, or in my case, she had signs printed out most often…” Diane recalled before holding up a sign that read, “sit up straight”.

Diane holding up one of the signs Michelle used to hold up for her behind the scenes(Image: ABC)

Charlie also featured in the special segment to share some sweet words of his own before David’s heartfelt tribute began.

“She calls us all her anchors, from Peter to Charlie to Diane. And how lucky am I? For more than a decade now, she has been my partner, but she says the time has come to catch her breath at Coleman, Kentucky.

“I am still in denial about all this,” David admitted, adding, “I cannot believe that Shelly is leaving my partner in crime out there. She’s the one who’s cuing me every single night, standing next to the camera, but Shelly, only for you tonight, I hope you’ll notice that you’re going to see my cuffs.

“The only reason anyone ever sees cuffs is because Shelley’s always saying, pull your cuff. My watch. I’ve got my watch on, because Shelly likes it when I show up with my watch on. Only happens, like once or twice a year”

David wasn’t finished with his special touches there as he also pointed out, “I got a full suit on today, only for you, Shelley, as you know, usually jeans in the waist down behind that desk. But for you, the full suit. And I don’t dig the jeans, and I got a haircut. I got a haircut for you. “

David concluded by gushing, “This moment is yours, you deserve this Shelley go home to Kentucky, giving back with your family, and the horses and the beautiful countryside. And what 11 years this has been do by my side I don’t know what I’m gonna do you.”

The segment ended with the camera panning to Michelle, who—for the last time—was gesturing to cue David off air.