Megyn Kelly, the Fox News star who has had a contentious relationship with US president-elect Donald Trump, is leaving the network for rival NBC.
In her new role, she will host a daytime talk show and a weekend news magazine.
NBC News made the announcement yesterday, ending months of speculation over whether she would stay with Fox, where she has flourished while suffering bruised feelings in recent months, or start a new chapter.
Her contract with Fox expires this summer and her last show on Fox will be on Friday night. Ms Kelly’s departure deprives Fox News of its second-most-watched host, behind only Bill O’Reilly, and a hole at 9pm in its prime-time line-up.
« While I will greatly miss my colleagues at Fox, I am delighted to be joining the NBC News family and taking on a new challenge, » Ms Kelly wrote on Twitter.
Rupert Murdoch, executive chairman of Fox, said that « we thank Megyn Kelly for her 12 years of contributions to Fox News. We hope she enjoys tremendous success in her career and wish her and her family all the best ».
Ms Kelly became one of Fox’s hottest properties and a flashpoint in the presidential campaign after Mr Trump objected to her questioning in the first Republican presidential debate. He tweeted angry messages about her and boycotted another Fox debate after the network refused to replace her as a moderator.
She also became a central figure in the downfall of former Fox News chief Roger Ailes, telling in-house investigators of inappropriate conduct by Mr Ailes that supported women who had made similar accusations.
