Fox News releases Bob Beckel for 'personal' issues
Fox News Channel parted ways with liberal pundit Bob Beckel, according to a statement from the company.
Beckel, now former co-host of The Five, is a Democrat and liberal strategist who disappeared from the anchor chair Feb. 16.
"We tried to work with Bob for months, but we couldn't hold The Five hostage to one man's personal issues," wrote Bill Shine, Fox News' executive vice president of programming.
His role on the late-afternoon political talk show will be replaced by a rotating cast, including commentators Juan Williams and Geraldo Rivera, wrote Shine in a statement released Thursday.
Beckel initially departed from the show to undergo major back surgery, according to previous statements by Fox. Later, he entered rehab after a relapse in prescription drug abuse.
Shine's statement did not elaborate on what ultimately prompted Fox News to cut ties with Beckel.
"He took tremendous advantage of our generosity, empathy and goodwill and we simply came to the end of the road with him," Shine wrote.
Beckel also writes freelance opinion features for USA TODAY, penning "Common Ground" with Cal Thomas.
Social media erupted with confused tweets after Beckel's sudden disappearance from the show in February. Known as a liberal voice on a cable channel that heavily features conservative commentary, Beckel sometimes made headlines for controversial remarks, like a racial slur against Chinese people last year.
Beckel did not immediately respond to request for comment, but did confirm his departure on social media.
"Fox has been good ... especially when I was healing," he tweeted. "I guess I'll never understand their anger."
Ratings for The Five have been up 8% since Beckel's departure, according to Nielsen Research data provided by Fox. Beckel was with the network for 15 years, according to his profile on FoxNews.com, which is no longer posted.
http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2015/06/26/bob-beckel-leaves-fox-the-five/29334593/