David Muir admitted he was ‘in denial’ as he paid a special tribute to a beloved ABC World News Tonight colleague while announcing her departure after three decades at the network.

The 51-year-old anchor bid farewell to stage manager Michele Mayer at the end of Tuesday night’s episode, revealing that he got his hair cut and wore a full suit especially for her last day.

After more than a decade working together, Muir revealed that Mayer was returning to her home state of Kentucky – and that he’s going to be lost without her.

Alongside archival footage, Muir affectionately referred to his colleague as ‘Shelly’ as he recounted her impressive history at ABC World News Tonight.

‘There she is right there, the one person who is there every night who you don’t see,’ he began.

‘Michele Mayer has been standing right next to that camera queuing me and so many other anchors: Peter [Jennings], Charlie [Gibson], Diane [Sawyer], for decades.

‘She’s been at ABC News for more than 30 years and if you look closely at this wide shot of the studio before we go on, the camera pans, Shelly with her hands on her hips and I always call out for her.

‘Then as Michele knows more than anyone in these chaotic times right before we go on, our joke, I triple check we know what day it is.’

David Muir said he was ‘in denial’ as he paid a special tribute to a beloved ABC World News Tonight colleague

Stage manager Michele Mayer has stepped down from the network after three decades.

Expressing shock over Mayer’s departure, Muir continued: ‘I’m still in denial about all this. I cannot believe that Shelly is leaving. My partner in crime out there.

‘She’s the one who’s queuing me every single night, standing next to that camera. But Shelly, only for you, tonight I hope you notice that you’re going to see my cuffs.

‘The only reason anyone ever sees cuffs is because Shelly is always saying, “pull your cuffs down.” I’ve got my watch on because Shelly likes it when I show up with my watch on – only happens once or twice a year.

‘I’ve got a full suit on today for you, Shelley. As you know, jeans from the waist down behind that desk, but for you, the full suit because I know you don’t dig the jeans. And I got a haircut – I got a haircut for you Shelly.’

‘You deserve this Shelly,’ Muir added. ‘Go home to Kentucky, go be back with your family, your horses, and the beautiful countryside.

‘What an 11 years this has been with you by my side. I don’t know what I’m going to do.’

Mayer started as a prompter operator for Peter Jennings back in the mid-1990s and then progressed to stage manager.

She then became Sawyer’s partner behind the scenes.

Mayer had worked as a stage manager for both Muir and Diane Sawyer (pictured)

Muir revealed that he got his hair cut and wore a full suit especially for her last day

Mayer is returning to her home state of Kentucky to ‘catch her breath’

Sawyer also had a special message for Mayer, in which she revealed the messages she’d relay while on-air.

‘I just want all the wonderful people who watch world news to know, that when you’re watching the person sitting at this desk, you’re really also watching the coach behind the camera,’ Sawyer said.

‘Michele always there to say, “run along,” or “slow it down,” or “time to get out,” or in my case she had signs printed out. Most often, [sign reads “sit up straight”].’

Mayer is returning to her home state of Kentucky to ‘catch her breath.’