Popular Fox News Host Bill O'Reilly Let Go Over Sexual Harassment Allegations

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NEW YORK (AP) — Fox News host Bill O'Reilly of "The O'Reilly Factor" has been ousted from the organization.

New York magazine reported Wednesday, based on unnamed sources, that Rupert Murdoch and sons James and Lachlan, who run Fox parent 21st Century Fox, had decided that O'Reilly was out and executives were planning the exit. On Tuesday, the Wall Street Journal, a newspaper owned by the Murdochs, wrote that the company was preparing to cut ties with O'Reilly.

It became official Wednesday afternoon that O'Reilly will not be returning to his show on Fox News, according to a release from the company.

"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" the statement read.

The New York Times reported April 2 that five women had been paid a total of $13 million to keep quiet about unpleasant encounters with O'Reilly, who has denied any wrongdoing.

Meanwhile, on vacation in Rome Wednesday, O'Reilly shook Pope Francis' hand.

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