Michael Strahan 'shocked' co-host Kelly Ripa in announcing his departure from 'Live! with Kelly and Michael'

He sacked them.

Retired Giants star-turned-TV personality Michael Strahan blindsided his on-air pal Kelly Ripa and their boss Michael Gelman with the news that he was joining “Good Morning America” full time — in a meeting minutes after their show “Live!” ended for the day.

“They were shocked,” a source told The Daily News. “They were surprised.”

At the meeting, first reported by TMZ, members of ABC brass informed Ripa and Gelman that Strahan was moving full time to the bigger, more high profile gig.

Strahan, 44, who has appeared on “GMA” two days a week since 2014, wasn’t required to be at the meeting but went anyway out of “respect” for Ripa, an insider said.

After ending his tenure on the talk show — most likely in August — he’ll begin the new job in September.

“Live! with Kelly” is expected to audition a slew of potential new co-hosts starting next fall. It will be a similar process to the one that landed Strahan the job four years ago.

In 2011 and 2012, more than 59 people tried out for the job across a span of 10 months.

“Over the past two years on ‘GMA,’ he’s proven to be a tireless and versatile broadcaster with an incredible ability to connect with people, from veterans to American pop culture icons and newsmakers,” ABC News President James Goldston said in a staff memo.

“He will end a four year run as Kelly Ripa’s co-host on ‘Live!’ where he has honed his skills as an interviewer with genuine warmth and a quick wit,” Goldston continued.

“At ‘GMA,’ he’ll now have even more opportunities to tell stories that inspire, inform and empower people.”

“GMA” stills tops NBC’s “Today” show in the ratings overall, but average viewership is down 10% since last year - and down 18% among 25-to-54-year-olds, a key demographic among advertisers.

The former Giants defensive end — who will continue cohosting “NFL on Fox” Sundays — received a hearty welcome Tuesday from his new roster.

“@michaelstrahan is the ultimate team player. Couldn’t be happier to have him with us every morning on @gma,” tweeted “GMA” anchor George Stephanopoulos shortly after the news broke.

Strahan called the move “bittersweet” in a statement obtained by the Daily News.

“Kelly has been an unbelievable partner, and I am so thankful to her and the entire team,” he said.

“I am extremely grateful for the amazing support I’ve received from all of the fans.”

Ripa herself has achieved grizzled veteran status on the show, celebrating 15 years on Feb. 12.