August 05, 2016
Philadelphia-area residents will need to find a way to survive the next couple weeks without one of their most trusted television news broadcasters.
6ABC stalwart Jim Gardner announced Thursday night that he will be taking a leave of absence for a medical procedure, beginning Friday.
Gardner said he will miss approximately three to four weeks to have surgery to repair his biceps tendon, which is "hanging by a thread."
The procedure was scheduled for Friday morning at the Rothman Institute.
Gardner aims to return to his anchor chair sometime after Labor Day.
Since May 11, 1977, Gardner has anchored 6ABC's 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts.
The station did not disclose who would replace Gardner.
In June, Gardner celebrated his 40th anniversary with WPVI-TV.
