GB News boss Andrew Neil has announced that he is taking a break from the channel just two weeks after launching it.
The journalist and broadcaster, 72, has been a permanent fixture on the network since it launched on June 13.
However, at the end of his self-titled news show on Thursday, Andrew confirmed that he will be taking some time off from presenting the 8pm slot, and that Colin Brazier would be stepping in for him.
Upon closing his show, Andrew said: “That’s it for tonight and from me for the next few weeks.
“But I leave you in the safe and professional hands of Colin Brazier.”
However, Andrew assured viewers that he wouldn't be staying away for too long.
"I’ll be back before the summer is out and when you least expect it so stay tuned."
Before handing over to Tonight with Dan Wootton, Andrew gave a heartfelt speech to the GB News audience.
"But before I take this break, let me say this," he continued. "Yes, we had a bit of a rocky start with the launch of GB News.
"We’re a start-up, they’re always a bit rocky these start-ups. But we are up and running as you can see, we get better every day and there’s clearly an appetite for what we’re doing.
"And in two short weeks, we’ve already built a loyal audience which has beaten all of our expectations, it’s often bigger than the other news channels and it’s growing.
"That’s the real story about GB News to date and you won’t often read that in the papers.
"So on behalf of GB News, I say to all of our viewers, thank you. We won’t let you down and you ain't seen nothing yet."
Andrew's departure comes just days after Shaun Ryder dropped the F-bomb on GB News as he opened up about his struggles at school having only been diagnosed with ADHD aged 57.
Host Neil Oliver said to Shaun: "I've got a good one for you from Paul, Paul was diagnosed dyspraxic in 2017 at the age of 47 and he now has a BSC in psychology research and Paul asks ‘Did your school years ever leave feeling accepted in society?’"
Without hesitation Shaun responded: "F***ing absolutely, like I said I didn't know the alphabet until I was about 28!"
Neil then read out a question: "Ross says, 'What do you make of the devastation caused to the live music industry by all of this, by lockdown?
"'And do you think the industry has been disregarded by the government?'"
Shaun replied: "I'm gonna sit for a couple of seconds and zip my gob, because it's all gonna be expletives coming out of it, right?"
"Alright, steady!" warned Neil.
