BREAKING: Bill O’Reilly Leaving Fox

NEW YORK — (WMAL/AP) 21st Century Fox issued a statement saying Bill O’Reilly will not be coming back to his show on Fox:

This announcement comes after reports surfaced that five women had been paid millions of dollars to keep quiet about harassment allegations..

O’Reilly had been scheduled to return from a vacation next Monday.

He was photographed in Rome shaking Pope Francis’ hand on Wednesday.

It marks a stunning end to a near perfect marriage between a pugnacious personality and network.

For two decades O’Reilly has ruled the “no spin zone” with cable news’ most popular show, and his ratings had never been higher.

Fox News Channel says “Tucker Carlson Tonight” will begin airing an hour earlier.

Starting Monday, Carlson’s show will be followed at 9 p.m. EDT by “The Five,” relocating from its afternoon slot.

“The Five” will be replaced at 5 p.m. EDT by a one-hour program hosted by Eric Bolling, to debut May 1. Next week, “Special Report with Bret Baier” will fill the 5-to-7-p.m. timeslot.

At 7 p.m. EDT, Martha MacCullum remains in place.

The departed O’Reilly’s “The Factor” will continue through this week with Dana Perino hosting Wednesday and Thursday night, and Greg Gutfield on Friday.

Rounding out the Fox prime-time lineup, “Hannity” remains at 10 p.m. EDT.

UPDATE: Bill O’Reilly has released the following statement:

“Over the past 20 years at Fox News, I have been extremely proud to launch and lead one of the most successful news programs in history, which has consistently informed and entertained millions of Americans and significantly contributed to building Fox into the dominant news network in television. It is tremendously disheartening that we part ways due to completely unfounded claims. But that is the unfortunate reality many of us in the public eye must live with today. I will always look back on my time at Fox with great pride in the unprecedented success we achieved and with my deepest gratitude to all my dedicated viewers.

I wish only the best for Fox News Channel.”