ABC News Breakfast co-host Lisa Millar has revealed she is leaving the broadcaster’s flagship morning news program.

Millar made the announcement live on air on Wednesday.

“What a blast the past five years has been, whether it was interviewing prime ministers and global thought leaders or getting karaoke encouragement from my childhood idol Gladys Knight,” she said.

Millar’s last day will be Friday, August 23. But she is not leaving the ABC – rather, she plans to expand her focus.

“I’m going to be having more adventures with Back Roads and Muster Dogs. Muster Dogs keeps getting bigger and bigger. So much to do, and exciting new projects. That means it’s goodbye,” she said.

Millar has recently narrated the Logie-nominated Muster Dogs, guest presented Back Roads, and is co-host of podcast The Newsreader.

She will also present a Muster Dogs “Where are they Now?” special later this year.

Millar has spent more than three decades at the ABC, covering major events such as the Black Summer bushfires, the death of Queen Elizabeth II and numerous elections.

Prior to taking up the News Breakfast hosting role alongside Michael Rowland, she was one of the ABC’s longest-serving foreign correspondents. Her roles included being bureau chief in the US and Europe.

Millar said she was excited about her new roles but would miss the morning show’s regular viewers.

“Most importantly, I want to thank our viewers who brought me into their homes and lives every morning. I’ve loved sharing breakfast with you all,” she said.

ABC News director Justin Stevens paid tribute to Millar’s long contribution.

“Lisa Millar is a superb journalist and broadcaster who personifies the very best values and attributes of ABC journalists,” he said.

“While we’re sad to lose her from news, I’m excited to see her take up this opportunity and continue to go from strength to strength at the ABC.”

He said Millar had done “a fantastic job” as News Breakfast co-host.

“[It’s] one of the toughest jobs in Australian TV,” he said.

“The relentless hours never impeded her incredible warmth and energy, or her passion for delivering the best program for the audience.”

ABC chief content officer Chris Oliver-Taylor said Millar was an “ABC legend”.

“She has done just about everything there is to do in news journalism,” he said.