Colmes leaving Fox News program

• Tweet

WASHINGTON, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Fox News announced that Alan Colmes is leaving its "Hannity & Colmes" television program after 12 years.

Colmes told Newsday his last day will be in January and explained he is leaving the show "because it's a great time to make a change, and I can't think of a better time -- thankfully with a Democratic Congress and president, what more can I do?

"I expressed my desire to make a creative change with what I'm doing," Colmes said of how he broke the news to his employers. "They were a little surprised but understood and asked if I'd mind staying through the election. ... The country has a very different mindset, people are in a very different mood and I kind of felt that mood internally."

"Not only has Alan been a remarkable co-host, he's been a great friend, which is rare in this industry -- I'll genuinely miss sparring with such a skillful debate partner," liberal Colmes's conservative co-star Sean Hannity said in a statement.

Colmes isn't leaving Fox News entirely, however and is to be seen in an upcoming new weekend show, Newsday reported.

The newspaper said it is unclear whether Colmes will be replaced on "Hannity & Colmes."