NEW YORK — Bob Beckel, most recently a co-host on ‘The Five’ was let-go by Fox News over ‘personal issues.’

In March, Fox News said the Liberal host was recovering from back surgery.  Weeks later, Fox said Beckel had checked into a rehabilitation facility to receive treatment for a prescription drug addiction, Mediaite reported.

Fox News Executive VP of programming Bill Shine issued a short statement: “We tried to work with Bob for months, but we couldn’t hold The Five hostage to one man’s personal issues. He took tremendous advantage of our generosity, empathy and goodwill and we simply came to the end of the road with him.”

The addiction appears to have been a factor in Fox’s decision to part ways with Beckel. Bill Shine, the channel’s executive VP of programming, said that patience with Beckel had run out at the channel.  (more)