Shepard Smith is OUT at Fox News effective immediately after being with the network since 1996

Shepard Smith is leaving Fox News.

The midday anchor, who has been with the network since its inception in 1996, will step down from his role as Chief News Anchor and Managing Editor of the network’s breaking news unit and Anchor of Shepard Smith Reporting effective immediately the network said in a release.

‘Shep is one of the premier newscasters of his generation and his extraordinary body of work is among the finest journalism in the industry,’ said Fox News Media president Jay Wallace.

‘His integrity and outstanding reporting from the field helped put FOX News on the map and there is simply no better breaking news anchor who has the ability to transport a viewer to a place of conflict, tragedy, despair or elation through his masterful delivery.’ 

‘Recently I asked the company to allow me to leave FOX News and begin a new chapter. After requesting that I stay, they graciously obliged,’ said Smith.

‘The opportunities afforded this guy from small town Mississippi have been many. It’s been an honor and a privilege to report the news each day to our loyal audience in context and with perspective, without fear or favor.’

He continued: ‘I’ve worked with the most talented, dedicated and focused professionals I know and I’m proud to have anchored their work each day — I will deeply miss them.’ 

Smith also made it clear that he will be off he air for at least some time.

‘Under our agreement I won’t be reporting elsewhere, at least in the near future, but I will be able to see more of Gio and Lucia and our friends and family and then we will see what comes along,’ said Smith. 

‘This is my last newscast here. Thank you for watching today and over the decades.’

He then closed out his final newscast by stating: ‘It’s been an honor and my pleasure.’

Smith, who left University of Mississippi two credits shy of a degree to take his first job, got his start on Fox News after catching the eye of Roger Ailes.

He has said in the past that Ailes saw him reporting on the OJ Simpson trial for Fox affiliates and then called him asking if he would fly to New York City to talk more about the possible new position.

Soon after, Smith moved to New York City and began his career at the network.

In the past few years he has come under fire while at the same time being praised for some of his reporting on president  Donald Trump, who is close with fellow Fox News host Sean Hannity.

It all kciked off in 2016 when he said that Trump ‘trades in racism’ after one of his guests, Wall Street Journal reporter James Grimaldi, said that the then-Republican nominee ‘trades in hyperbole.’ 

Comments like those are the main reason it would seem that President Trump never appeared on Smith’s show, despite the anchor reaching out to his campaign for an interview. 

‘I would like to have some time with him,’ said Smith back in 2016.

‘For me, at least, it would be interesting to go through the things he’s said and the things he’s done and try to get an explanation.’ 

Smith also came out as gay in recent years, giving a rare glimpse into his private life during an interview with Time.

In that story Smith, 55, acknowledged his relationship with 31-year-old Giovanni Graziano.

‘I have a longtime boyfriend and we’re as happy as we can be,’ revealed Smith.

‘We live a very normal life and go to dinner and go to games and see his family and see my family.’

He then added: ‘It’s great for us, but I can’t imagine anyone else finding it interesting.’