Amy Robach and TJ Holmes reveal original plan to go public with their relationship

Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes are opening up about how they planned to go public with their relationship, even before news of it broke.

The former "GMA3" anchors shared the statements they planned to release about their impending divorces on the latest episode of their recently debuted podcast, "Amy & T.J. Podcast."

On Thursday's episode, the podcast hosts answered fans' questions, including one about why the couple didn't deny affair allegations when the relationship was first exposed.

In December 2022, Robach, 50, and Holmes, 46, were removed from their TV hosting gigs after the Daily Mail published video and photographs of the two married anchors holding hands and Holmes patting Robach on the bottom.

The couple maintains their respective marriages were nearly over, but they both decided not to respond to the allegations to avoid escalating the drama.

"Maybe it would have been better had we done that" and addressed the relationship, said Robach. "But what we were trying to do was keep our jobs. We did have press releases ready to go that we had written that day."

Holmes read both his and Robach's statements, which he said were drafted on Nov. 30, 2022, the day the Daily Mail photos were released.

"My divorce is nearly finalized after we decided to separate," Holmes read from Robach's statement. "T.J. and I have been friends for years and our relationship has evolved only in recent weeks. I ask for privacy for my family as we continue to heal."

Then he read from his own statement: "After a monthlong separation, I am in the final stage of my divorce process that has been difficult for my family and for their sake had hoped to keep private. I have leaned on my closest friend during this painful stretch and very recently, that friendship became more. Out of respect for my family, I am requesting privacy at this time."

The couple has opened up about their relationship and the fallout from the scandal on their new podcast. This week, they answered a fan question about whether they would "tie the knot."

"It's under consideration," said Robach. "We did not enter this relationship for fun or for 'Let's see what happens.' We entered this relationship because we intended on spending our lives together."

But if they get married, it won't be very soon.

"We both have two marriages under our belts and so it's not something we're racing to or rushing towards," she added. "But there is something, I get it, it's this thing that I can't even explain why there's this desire, but I want to spend the rest of my life with you, I can say that. It's on the table."

Amy Robach, T.J. Holmes relationship timeline, 'GMA3' fallout

The romance between Holmes and Robach made headlines last December when the Daily Mail published video and photographs of the two married anchors holding hands and Holmes patting Robach on the bottom.

ABC sidelined Robach and Holmes from the afternoon news program soon after, calling the allegations a "distraction." In January, the former co-anchors were officially ousted. In May, Holmes and Robach's replacements were named.

Amy Robach, T.J. Holmes debut podcast — and relationship: 'We love each other'

Last December, Holmes filed a petition for divorce from ex-wife Marilee Fiebig, 46, an immigration attorney, in New York after 13 years of marriage, according to court records. Holmes and Fiebig reached a divorce settlement in October, as reported by Us Weekly and the Los Angeles Times.

Fiebig later spoke out through her attorney, Stephanie Lehman, saying she was "disappointed by T.J.'s lack of discretion, respect and sensitivity toward Marilee and the parties' daughter." Holmes and Fiebig married in March 2010 and share a 10-year-old daughter. Holmes also has two children from a previous marriage to Amy Ferson.

Robach wed "Melrose Place" star Andrew Shue in 2010. They listed their New York City apartment for sale last September.

Contributing: Naledi Ushe, Kelly Lawler

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Amy Robach, TJ Holmes share 2022 statements about relationship