Emily Smith

Emily Smith

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Josh Elliott could be headed back to ABC

TV insiders are abuzz that former “Good Morning America” golden boy Josh Elliott — who last year dramatically defected to rival NBC — could be headed back to ABC after his big move hasn’t worked out.

A onetime ESPN anchor, Elliott left “GMA” in April 2014 for NBC Sports, saying the decision to leave was a “deeply personal” move.

He’s anchored horse racing and football, but had been expected to play a larger role on “Today,” with the hope he’d be an heir to Matt Lauer — which hasn’t materialized.

A source said, “There’s speculation Josh could go back to ABC because NBC doesn’t seem to be using him. He’s being paid $5 million a year to do basically nothing. He is represented by CAA, and agents not formally representing him but advocating on his behalf, have had exploratory conversations with ABC.”

Another added, “Josh burned a lot of bridges when he left ABC. Why would they take him back? But others at ABC believe he could help in the ratings war with ‘Today.’ ”

But Elliott’s contract still has at least two years: Unless NBC decides to release him, he cannot enter formal talks with ABC. A rep for Elliott said, “Josh is under contract with NBC Sports and the claim that either he or his agents have had any negotiations with NBC about leaving, or ABC about returning, is categorically untrue.”

An ABC News rep added, “This rumor-mongering is ridiculous. None of this is true. We have the best on-air team in the business. We’re all good.”

NBC didn’t comment.