Steve Doocy, longtime co-host of Fox & Friends, announced Thursday that he will step back from full-time duties and relocate permanently to Florida. Starting later this month, he will appear remotely on the show three times a week, joining his co-hosts Brian Kilmeade, Ainsley Earhardt, and Lawrence Jones from his new home base.

Holding back tears during Thursday morning’s broadcast, Doocy shared that it would be his final day co-hosting from the network’s Midtown Manhattan studio.

“After decades of getting up at 3:30 and driving into NYC in the dark, today is the last day I will host the show…from the couch,” Doocy announced on air duringThursday’s broadcast. “I am not retiring, I’m not leaving the show. I’m still a host — but it’s time for a change.”

Steve Doocy, who turns 70 next year, will transition into a new role as Fox & Friends’ full-time remote host, focusing on field reporting and feature segments—including the show’s popular diner visits. One recent example saw him broadcasting live from Chicken N Pickle, a pickleball hotspot near Kansas City.

While Doocy hits the road to report from various locations across the country, co-hosts Brian Kilmeade, Ainsley Earhardt, and Lawrence Jones will continue anchoring the show from the New York City studio.

Reflecting on his long tenure, Doocy noted he’s racked up more than 6,800 early morning wake-ups and logged over 31,000 hours of live television from the show’s iconic “curvy couch.”

Doocy expressed relief at stepping into a new role that offers a more flexible schedule, allowing him to swap early mornings for quality time with his family and a better work-life balance.

Effective immediately, Doocy will appear remotely three days a week as Fox & Friends’ new “coast-to-coast host,” delivering segments from Florida and other locations around the country.

The change follows conversations with Fox News CEO Suzanne Scott, whom Doocy described as “a friend of more than 30 years.”

“She gave me a great option — to keep working on this show… just not every day,” Doocy explained.

“Essentially it’s the Johnny Carson deal. Remember Johnny worked his three days in Burbank, and I’ll be based in Florida. Which means you may never see me in a necktie again.”

Doocy made it clear to viewers that he’s not stepping away from the show for good. “I will continue to join this couch crew for commentary. You have trusted me for all these years and don’t worry, you will still hear my voice and my opinions loud and clear—despite whatever seasonal pollen is killing me.”