GOOD Morning America 3 made the "safe choice" in choosing new hosts DeMarco Morgan and Eva Pilgrim after execs found fill-in Gio Benitez's model husband's photos "too risque," sources have claimed.
An in sider exclusively told The U.S. Sun that ABC's decision to promote DeMarco and Eva to the full-time anchor positions on GMA3 was an intentional choice by family-friendly minded executives following the aftermath of Amy Robach and TJ Holmes' affair scandal.
The insider claimed: "ABC really didn't want anything overtly sexy at GMA3 after everything with Amy and TJ. They made the safe choice here."
The source added that while Gio was in the running, his lifestyle expert husband, Tommy DiDario, was once an underwear model- which put the reporter in a precarious position.
"He's beautiful, but if you see his Instagram page he has these really sexy shots.
"After Amy and TJ, the last thing they wanted was anything sexual in that time slot," the insider added.
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"DeMarco is good-looking, but he's not posting shirtless pictures or gym pictures. He's very wholesome, which is what they want."
A second insider added that DeMarco, Eva and Gio's new roles at GMA were in large part about chemistry, and where the talent fit in best.
"These decisions came down to the talent and placing people in the positions where they would shine best."
"When it comes to GMA3, the team is turning the page and they are excited to do so with DeMarco and Eva joining Dr. Ashton."
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GMA3 TURNS THE PAGE
The search for a new pair of hosts began after news of a relationship between anchors Amy and T.J. was made public late last year.
Back in November, the TV stars,-who were then married to other people- were caught on PDA filled-dates.
According to reports, they had been embroiled in a sordid affair for months.
ABC took the duo off the air after the controversy, and they were formally let go from their positions in January.
After a few months of fill-in hosts leading GMA3, ABC News president Kim Godwin sent out a memo announcing DeMarco and Eva as the official replacement anchors on Thursday, according to Deadline.
The note began: “I am pleased to announce that Eva Pilgrim and DeMarco Morgan will join ‘GMA3: What You Need to Know’ as co-anchors of the program, with Dr. Jennifer Ashton as ABC News chief health and medical correspondent.”
DeMarco and Eva had been filling in on GMA3 for most of the past few months.
Gio Benitez was also named as part of the new Good Morning America weekend line-up alongside Janai Norman and Whit Johnson.
The memo continued: “I am incredibly proud of the reporting Eva, DeMarco and Gio have brought to ABC News.
“They join their colleagues Whit, Janai and Dr. Jen whose steadfast commitment to bold, straightforward journalism has been integral to their respective programs’ success.
“I must also acknowledge the incredible work of the teams led by executive producers Simone Swink and Cat McKenzie whose programs are the ones most Americans turn to for the day’s news, analysis and more.”
The ABC News president finished off by writing: “I know these programs – and our viewers at home – will be well-served by all of their collective talents.”
TJ AND AMY'S NEXT CHAPTER
Meanwhile, T.J. and Amy, who are still going strong and are often seen on romantic outings, are trying to find their next on-air gig together.
They have reportedly been shopping a show to various stations, but many TV networks are "steering clear" of the media personalities, according to the New York Post.
CBS' syndicate operation, CBS Media Ventures, turned down a "proposal" for a talk show from the controversial couple, per an insider close to Amy and T.J.
CNN also turned down a pitch from the duo's talent agency, CAA, when they reached out to the network on behalf of the ex-ABC personalities in February.
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Amy and T.J. have also reached out to Fox Entertainment and Fox Television stations, meeting with station execs to discuss having their own syndicated program.
A source told the outlet that the interactions between the two and Fox were "general meetings" on “various opportunities” that weren't "limited" to just a "talk show."
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