Bob Beckel returns to Fox News as co-host of ‘The Five’

Former Democratic strategist Bob Beckel is returning to Fox News Channel (FNC) as co-host of “The Five.”

Beckel, who served as Walter Mondale’s 1984 naitonal campaign manager, will begin his duties on the popular roundtable opinion program on Monday at 5:00 p.m. ET.

Current co-host Juan Williams “will remain an FNC contributor across all programs and continue to appear on The Five,” according to the network. Williams is also a columnist for The Hill.

“Bob was missed by many fans of The Five and we’re happy to welcome him back to the show,” said Fox News Executive Chairman Rupert Murdoch making in announcement.

{mosads}Beckel, who also has the distinction of serving as the youngest deputy assistant secretary of State for the Carter administration, said he’s happy to be rejoining his “television family.”

“I’m thrilled for the opportunity to go home again and join my television family around the table of ‘The Five’. I have no doubt it will be a vigorous yet entertaining debate.”

Beckel was one of the originating co-hosts of “The Five,” along with Eric Bolling, Kimberly Guilfoyle, Greg Gutfeld and Dana Perino when the show launched in 2011.

He parted ways with the network in July of 2015, with Fox stating they could no longer be held “hostage to one man’s personal issues.” It was reported at the time that Beckel was in rehab for an addiction to painkillers following back surgery.

The 68-year-old stated on the air in July of 2011 when “The Five” first launched that he’s had substance abuse problems in the past.

“I’m a recovering addict and cocaine was my drug of choice,” he said.

Beckel signed with CNN in October of 2015 but was used relatively sparingly on the network.

“The Five” finished 2016 as the fourth most-watched program on cable news, behind “The O’Reilly Factor,” “The Kelly File” and “Special Report with Bret Baier,” all Fox News programs.