Former co-anchors of "GMA3," T.J. Holmes and Amy Robach, have finally addressed the rumors and controversy surrounding their relationship and departure from ABC News. In the debut episode of their podcast, "Amy and T.J.," the pair discussed their side of the story and opened up about the challenges they have faced since their romance was thrust into the spotlight.

Holmes, 46, described themselves as "the folks who lost the jobs we love because we love each other." He acknowledged that there has been a lot of speculation and misinformation about their relationship, stating, "There's a lot been said about us." Robach expressed her nervousness about sharing their story, admitting, "Because we haven't spoken. We haven't said anything and other people have had our story, they've told our narrative."

Their troubles began in November 2022 when a Daily Mail article was published, featuring pictures of Holmes and Robach holding hands and spending time together. This led to allegations of an affair, which they vehemently denied on their podcast. Holmes clarified, "To be clear, we were outed as being in a relationship. But everyone else thought we were being outed as adulterers, being outed as cheating on our spouses, and it wasn't the case."

Robach revealed that she had separated from her ex-husband, Andrew Shue, in the summer of 2022. She emphasized that those close to her knew about the divorce, stating, "Everyone in my tight circle knew I was getting divorced." On the other hand, Holmes kept his split from Marilee Fiebig private, admitting that he would have handled the situation differently in hindsight.

The couple explained that they wanted to wait to disclose their relationship until their divorces were finalized, in an effort to protect their children and families. They believed they had the right to privacy but acknowledged that their decision may have been naive. They insisted that they were close friends for eight years before becoming romantically involved.

During the podcast, Holmes and Robach spoke about the challenges they faced after their relationship became public. Robach referred to the past year as the "year of hell." Holmes confessed to struggling with his mental health, revealing that he had a breakdown and turned to alcohol and edibles. Robach even had to do a wellness check on him when he sent alarming text messages and didn't respond to calls.

Despite the difficulties, the couple expressed gratitude for being able to share their story. They admitted that they initially felt uncomfortable in public but have begun to regain their confidence. They hope that by sharing their experience, they can create a new path forward and be honest about what happened.

They clarified that they did not cheat on their spouses and were already in the process of divorcing when their relationship became public. The public had assumed they were still married to their respective partners, Marilee Fiebig and Andrew Shue. Robach acknowledged the challenges of clearing up the misconceptions, stating, "We were trying to clear everything up."

Robach revealed that she had been worried about Holmes' well-being and had to check on him when she received distressing messages from him. She described finding him unresponsive and feared the worst. Holmes admitted to indulging in alcohol and edibles during that difficult time.

Despite the hardships they have faced, the couple expressed their happiness and love for each other. They recently made their red carpet debut as a couple and are planning a life together. They acknowledged that relationships are not perfect but emphasized their commitment to each other.

In conclusion, Holmes and Robach have finally spoken out about their relationship and the challenges they have faced. They hope that by sharing their story, they can set the record straight and move forward with their lives.