Barbara Walters Addresses Rumors Of Her Retirement On The View…

Coming off a short hiatus, The View was back on Monday — and at the top of show, Barbara Walters straightaway addressed the reports of her imminent retirement. The ladies noted that the story was all over the news last week, to which Walters said there is no news and no announcement to make.

RELATED: Barbara Walters Will Reportedly Retire In 2014

“There were many reports last week saying that I was retiring from ABC, and there was an assumption that I would be making an an announcement today,” Walters began, noting that there were paparazzi were outside her home. “However, here I am, and I have no announcement to make. But I do want to say this: That if and when I might have an announcement to make, I will do it on this program, I promise.”

“And the paparazzi guys,” she added, “you will be the last to know.”

The other co-hosts, especially Whoopi Goldberg, chimed in about the fuss over the rumors, and Elisabeth Hasselbeck agreed that of course Walters would make the announcement herself.

The response stemmed from last week’s report from TVNewser, which said Walters intends to retire in May 2014. “ABC is expected to air a number of specials, tributes and events over the course of the next year, leading up to Walters’ formal departure,” it added.

Take a look, via ABC:

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