Chris Wallace's Fox News departure was so secret that even his panelists didn't know about it, report says

• Chris Wallace said on air on Sunday that he was leaving Fox News after 18 years.
• A source told The Washington Post panelists on his show didn't know he was going to make the announcement.

Chris Wallace announced on air on Sunday that he was leaving Fox News, and it reportedly came as a surprise to his panelists and colleagues.

A source at Fox told The Washington Post that Wallace had kept his plans secret, and that many of his colleagues were "shellshocked" at the announcement. The panelists on his show also didn't know that he was going to announce his departure, the source told The Post.

Fox News did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment.

Wallace worked for Fox for 18 years, and announced on his show that it would be his last episode for the network.

He said on air: "Eighteen years ago, the bosses here at Fox promised me they would never interfere with a guest I booked or a question I asked. And they kept that promise.

"I have been free to report to the best of my ability, to cover the stories I think are important, to hold our country's leaders to account. It's been a great ride."

Wallace said later on Sunday that he was joining CNN+, CNN's upcoming streaming platform.

"I am thrilled to join CNN+. After decades in broadcast and cable news, I am excited to explore the world of streaming," he said.

"I look forward to the new freedom and flexibility streaming affords in interviewing major figures across the news landscape — and finding new ways to tell stories."

Fox News said in a statement published on Sunday: "We are extremely proud of our journalism and the stellar team that Chris Wallace was a part of for 18 years. The legacy of FOX News Sunday will continue with our star journalists, many of whom will rotate in the position until a permanent host is named."