Colmes is leaving Hannity’s side on Fox

Alan Colmes, who served as Sean Hannity’s liberal counterweight on their long-running Fox News program, announced Monday that he’s leaving his post at the end of the year.

The co-host of “Hannity & Colmes” said that after 12 years he’s ready for a new challenge. He will continue to serve as a commentator on Fox News and is developing a weekend program for the network.

“Although it’s bittersweet to leave one of the longest marriages on cable news, I’m proud that both Sean and I remained unharmed after sitting side by side, night after night for so many years,” Colmes said.

Executives have not yet decided how to replace him on the program. “Hannity & Colmes” is the second-most- watched cable news show after “The O’Reilly Factor” and has been a fixture on the network since its 1996 launch.

-- Matea Gold