Fox News has severed its relationship with Bill O'Reilly, dumping the US's most-watched cable news anchor over a flood of sexual harassment allegations and dwindling advertising.
"After a thorough and careful review of the allegations, the company and Bill O'Reilly have agreed that Bill O'Reilly will not be returning to the Fox News Channel," 21st Century Fox said in a statement.
The announcement followed growing reports that the corporation headed by Rupert Murdoch intended to sack the veteran host and just hours after the right-wing television personality was photographed shaking hands with Pope Francis in Rome.
The combative host, who has worked at Fox for 21 years, is currently on what he called a "long-planned break" but had originally intended to return to his nightly show on 24 April.
In a statement, he said it is "tremendously disheartening" to leave Fox "due to completely unfounded claims".
He added: "But that is the unfortunate reality many of us in the public eye must live with today".
He will be replaced in his prime-time lineup by Fox host Tucker Carlson whose show had been moved earlier this year to replace "The Kelly File" with Megyn Kelly, another Fox News star who left for NBC in January.
The New York Times reported on 1 April that Fox and Mr O'Reilly paid five women a total of $13 million to settle harassment claims. The five women who received settlements either worked for Mr O'Reilly or appeared as guests on his programme, according to the New York Times story.
Mr O'Reilly said in a statement at the time that he had settled only to spare his children from the controversy.
His show, "The O'Reilly Factor," is the top-rated show on Fox News.
According to ad-tracking firm Kantar Media, it brought in $147.13 million in advertising revenue in 2016.
By comparison, Twenty-First Century Fox's last fiscal year, which ended 30 June 2016, brought in a total of $7.65 billion in advertising revenue.
"The O'Reilly Factor" has been the most watched programme on Fox News and was coming off the highest-rated first quarter in its history, averaging 4 million viewers, according to Nielsen.
But after the New York Times report, advertisers including BMW of North America, Allstate Corp, French pharmaceuticals maker Sanofi SA and T. Rowe Price, pulled their advertising from the show.
Mr O'Reilly's exit, which was first reported by New York magazine, follows that of former Fox News Chairman Roger Ailes, who was forced to resign in July after being accused of sexual misconduct by a number of women, including former anchor Gretchen Carlson.
Ms Kelly was also one of the accusers and detailed Mr Ailes' behaviour in her best-selling book, "Settle for More."
Mr Ailes has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
