A teary-eyed Diane Sawyer bid Good Morning America audiences a fond farewell this morning, after making more than three thousand daily appearances on the morning news shows. Sawyer recently announced that she would be moving on to takeover anchor duties for Charles Gibson on World News. She is scheduled to kickoff her new duties on Monday, December 21, 2009.

The network withheld announcements for Sawyer’s replacement until the show aired this morning. George Stephanopoulos, who once served as an adviser to former President Bill Clinton, will be taking her seat. Stephanopoulos was quoted in a recent ABC online news report that while he expects this transition to be adventurous, he knows “No one can replace Diane Sawyer.”

ABC has high hopes for a smooth transition, as four of their major news shows are undergoing anchor alterations just before the holidays.

The experiences of their chosen anchors, however provides them with confidence that this recent choice will benefit the network and the news, creating more enjoyable coverage for viewers.

This is Jennifer Hudock reporting from Real TV Addict, asking you not to fret as you wave goodbye to Diane Sawyer this morning. She’ll be back in the hot seat bringing you the latest headlines on World News this coming Monday.