Outspoken US presenter Bill O'Reilly has been dropped from Fox News over sexual harassment claims, the company says.
Bill O'Reilly attends Hollywood Reporter's 35 Most Powerful People in Media, in April 2016 in New York. Photo: AFP
"After a thorough and careful review of the allegations ... Bill O'Reilly will not be returning," the network said in a one-sentence statement.
Mr O'Reilly has been on holiday since 12 April, and was photographed shaking hands with Pope Francis at the Vatican earlier on Wednesday.
More than 50 sponsors have withdrawn ads from his show, The O'Reilly Factor.
Pressure on Fox mounted after reports five women had received $US13 million in payouts because of Mr O'Reilly's behaviour.
The prime-time presenter, who has been with the US network almost since its inception, has denied all of the allegations.
The decision comes after an emergency meeting of the 21st Century Fox board, New York Magazine reported.
Fox broadcaster Tucker Carlson will be taking over Mr O'Reilly's slot, the company said in a follow-up statement.
In an internal memo sent to 21st Century Fox employees, the company wrote that the decision had been made after an "extensive review done in collaboration with outside counsel".
The letter - signed by Rupert Murdoch and his sons Lachlan and James - praised Mr O'Reilly as "one of the most accomplished TV personalities in the history of cable news".
"We have full confidence that the network will continue to be a powerhouse in cable news," the statement continues, adding they were committed to "fostering a work environment built on the values of trust and respect".
The O'Reilly Factor drew nearly four million viewers per night.
The most recent allegation came on Tuesday evening when the lawyer for an African-American former Fox clerical worker alleged her client had been harassed by Mr O'Reilly in 2008.
Lawyer Lisa Bloom said the Fox News host had referred to the unidentified woman as "hot chocolate".
"He would leer at her," said Ms Bloom. "He would always do this when no one else was around, and she was scared."
Mr O'Reilly's attorney Marc Kasowitz called the latest accusation part of a "brutal campaign of character assassination that is unprecedented in post-McCarthyist America".
Mr Kasowitz said this was being driven by "far-left organizations bent on destroying O'Reilly for political and financial reasons".
Media-watchers said the harassment allegations had become too much of a liability for 21st Century Fox.
A concern for the Murdoch family is their pending $US14 billion deal to buy out satellite provider Sky, which is being scrutinised by British regulators.
Authorities with the European Commission this month cleared 21 Century Fox to acquire the remaining 61 percent of Sky it did not yet own.
Sources at the company told US media Rupert Murdoch was in favour of keeping Mr O'Reilly in his post, but 21st Century Fox chief executive James Murdoch, reportedly argued that Mr O'Reilly should go.
The company reputation took a hit after sexual harassment allegations were also levelled at Roger Ailes, the former head of Fox News.
Mr Ailes resigned in 2016 after being sued by a former Fox News presenter, Gretchen Carlson.
- BBC
