Sara Haines Confirms She's Leaving 'The View' and Doing It 'For the Best Reason'

While reports of her exit broke over the weekend, Haines confirmed the news at the top of Monday's show, adding that starting in September she'll be co-hosting the third hour of "Good Morning America" with Michael Strahan.

"I have a big announcement, it is bittersweet, so I'm going to start with the bitter part, which is just the sad part," she said Monday morning. "I will be leaving the show, for the best reason, but I have to start with this. I have dreamt about, I have watched the show since it began -- look at who I'm flanked by ... at the whole table ... but there are days I go to look at Whoopi and I can't finish a sentence because I remember it's Whoopi Goldberg."

"Every time I hear the theme music, I remember watching at home on my couch," she said. "This has been a dream I've always had to be on this show. Every day I walk out here, I've never taken it for granted."

After thanking the staff, she added, "I never thought in a million years I would be leaving one dream job for another dream job."

"I'm honored to sit here, I'm honored to go down with this brand sitting behind me every day," she continued. As for why she wasn't crying, she said, "It's only because I am super excited for the next chapter. I just can't believe, the only bad part, is that I'm leaving you guys."

That's when Joy Behar deadpanned, "Think of it this way, only one person will be interrupting you!"

Haines and Strahan's new hour will be dubbed "GMA Day" and kicks off September 10 on ABC. Watch the announcement video below.