Amy Robach And T.J. Holmes Explain Why They Didn’t Immediately Shut Down Infidelity Rumors: “What We Were Trying To Do Was Keep Our Jobs”

Amy Robach and T.J. Holmes came very close to shutting down rumors of infidelity after news of their controversial relationship broke last year — that is, until they were advised against speaking out.

On the most recent episode of their Amy & T.J. podcast, the former GMA3 anchors opened up about their decision to stay silent — and even read drafts of the press releases they originally wanted to send out in light of their scandal.

The conversation came up when a fan wrote in a question asking why they “didn’t go hard at the allegations right from the start.” According to the couple, they were ready to release statements the day their relationship broke in the news but they “got the brakes put on that” because they were trying to keep their jobs at ABC.

“Maybe it would’ve been better had we done that but what we were trying to do was keep our jobs,” Robach explained. “We did have press releases ready to go that we had written that day. And even through that initial first couple of days — even when we were temporarily taken off the air to let things cool down — we were still hopeful for that entire six weeks, eight weeks that we would be going back to work.”

She added, “Our hearts, our guts, our minds, everything about us wanted to speak out but once we didn’t speak out those initial first few days…at what point do you then? It got really hard.”

While Robach was talking, Holmes was busy pulling up their respective drafts that “never saw the light of day.” He then decided to read them aloud to the listeners.

Robach’s statement read, “My divorce is nearly finalized after we decided to separate. 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.”

Meanwhile, Holmes’ draft said, “After a month-long separation, I’m in the final stage of my divorce, a process that has been difficult and that my family — 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.”

At the time they were outed, Robach was still married to actor Andrew Shue, while Holmes was married to Marilee Fiebig, leading to speculation of an affair. However, both television personalities have since insisted that they were in the midst of “divorce proceedings” when they first sparked their romance.

Both Robach and Holmes officially parted ways with ABC in January of this year after their relationship proved to be “an internal and external disruption,” ABC News president Kim Godwin reportedly told staffers in a call, per Variety.