UNBELIEVABLE SH0CK – ABC News makes a surprising announcement about Lara Spencer, GMA stunned, audience left speechless!

She’s moved on up.

Lara Spencer has been named co-host of “Good Morning America,” joining Robin Roberts and George Stephanopoulos as one of the morning show’s top dogs.”A key member of our on-air team, Lara Spencer, rejoined ABC three years ago — bringing her style, humor, sunny confidence, wonderful journalism and storytelling to GMA,” incoming ABC News chief James Goldston said Friday in a memo, obtained by The News, to ABC News staffers. “Lara is clearly an essential ingredient in the success we have enjoyed and I am so pleased to announce that Lara has been elevated to co-host of the program along with Robin and George.”

The promotion for Spencer, who joined “GMA” in 2011 as the program’s lifestyle anchor, comes with a new deal worth about $3 million a year, sources said. Having Spencer remain on the show was an important goal for ABC officials who have struggled to keep the top-rated breakfast show’s on-air team intact. News reader Josh Elliot left the show last month for a big job at NBC Sports and weather anchor Sam Champion abruptly quit in December to launch his own morning show on The Weather Channel.

Spencer’s elevation and her new deal follows a new contract Roberts made late last year, worth as much as $18 million a year. Stephanopolous is the final piece in the “GMA” puzzle; his current deal expires next fall.

* * *

Lara Spencer, second from right, joins Robin Roberts, second from left, and George Stephanopoulos, center, as co-hosts on the morning show. Also pictured are news anchor Amy Robach and weather person Ginger Zee.
Here is Goldston’s complete memo:

Tomorrow marks an historic milestone: two years ago GMA snapped Today’s 852-week winning streak. And every day since, we have played our game and fought like underdogs, never satisfied and always looking for the best stories and those indelible television moments that make GMA so special to our audience.

With our amazing team of George, Robin, and Lara and now Amy and Ginger too — I’m confident there is much more to come-and great days ahead for Good Morning America.

Robin — the captain of our team, is the heart of GMA. No matter what she’s faced, she has made it her job to make sure that we are all taken care of. Beyond her amazing broadcasting abilities and dedication to GMA, her compassion and incredible journalism never fails to inspire — and her rallying cry that Everybody’s Got Something inspires millions of Americans every day.

Lara Spencer’s promotion comes on heels of Michael Strahan’s addition to the ‘GMA’ team.
Just yesterday, George, once again, showed us his dedication and versatility — anchoring GMA, rushing to Washington to interview Supreme Court Justice Stevens for This Week and making it back to NY in time to anchor the special report for President Obama’s press conference. A work ethic that’s unmatched.

Nevertheless, Robin and George would be the first to say that it takes an amazing team on air and behind the scenes to do that each morning. And Tom Cibrowski and the GMA production team is without doubt the best in the business.

A key member of our on-air team, Lara Spencer, rejoined ABC three years ago — bringing her style, humor, sunny confidence, wonderful journalism and storytelling to GMA. Lara is clearly an essential ingredient in the success we have enjoyed and I am so pleased to announce that Lara has been elevated to co-host of the program along with Robin and George.

Lara grew up at WABC and GMA and then returned to us in 2011 as GMA mounted its epic challenge. A New York Times best-selling author with another book on the way, the creator and executive producer of Flea Market Flip on HGTV, and great mom to Duff and Kate, Lara is simply as talented as they come.

During the Puppy Bowl in January, Lara Spencer has ‘GMA’ going to the dogs in a good way.
I remain in awe of the entire staff at GMA. With Tom at the helm and Ben’s brilliant leadership, your drive, passion, creativity and unwavering dedication to ABC News and GMA brought us to where we are today.

As I close out my first week in the new job, I want to take a moment to thank everyone for all your good wishes. I could not be more excited and honored to work with this stellar team. Your dedication and passion are unmatched and I look forward to reaching great new heights alongside all of you.

Please join me in congratulating Lara on this well-deserved promotion as we all take a moment to look back on two remarkable years. And here’s to many, many more!