A controversial, right-wing anchor on the U.S. news channel Fox News has been dropped from the network.

Bill O’Reilly’s departure was announced by Fox’s parent company 21st Century Fox in a statement of only a single sentence.

“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

O’Reilly’s show, ‘The O’Reilly Factor” is the top-rating programme on U.S. cable news.

The 67-year-old has battled allegations of sexual harassment for weeks, with over 50 companies withdrawing advertisements from “The O’Reilly Factor”.

The Murdoch family, who own 21st Century Fox, were reportedly split over whether to keep O’Reilly at the network. Fox faced increasing pressure to let the anchor go after reports emerged that suggested five women received payouts of £10.5m from either O’Reilly or Fox in exchange for remaining silent and dropping cases against him.

Bill O’Reilly was often considered the face of Fox News, having been with the channel since 1996.

Just minutes after the announcement of O’Reilly’s departure Fox revealed its new schedule without “The O’Reilly Factor”.

One man did come to his defence, however: U.S. president Donald Trump.

“I don’t think Bill did anything wrong. I think he’s a person I know well – he is a good person.”